Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR)

Miconia calvescens
(Melastomataceae)
bush currant, miconia, purple plague, velvetleaf



image of Miconia calvescens

image of Miconia calvescens

image of Miconia calvescens
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HEAR home  >   species info  >   plants  >   Miconia calvescens (Melastomataceae)

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Species description or overview
Taxonomy & nomenclature
Pest alerts
Impacts
Control methods
Biocontrol efforts
Recovery & restoration
Images
Distribution
Case studies
Books
In the news
Full-text articles
Presentations
Workshop/conference proceedings
Bibliography
Experts
Other resources
 

Miconia ( Miconia calvescens ) is a large tree that grows up to 50 feet tall with large oval-shaped leaves. The leaves are green on top and (in the strain in Hawaii) purple underneath, with three main midribs running from stem to leaf tip. According to Dr. Ray Fosberg of the Smithsonian Institution, is "the one plant that could really destroy the Hawaiian forest." 


Featured items

2009 International Miconia Conference  

important item  
The 2009 International Miconia Conference "Pulling it all Together" brings together scientists, resource managers, field technicians, and funding agencies to focus on the challenges and successes associated with miconia invasions across the Pacific. The conference provides opportunities to review current control strategies, learn the status of potential biocontrol agents, discuss outreach and funding strategies, and explore the beautiful East Maui region. The conference dates are May 4-7, 2009.


Species description or overview

HEAR HNIS report on Miconia calvescens  

View info about Adobe Acrobat PDF format
Rod Randall - Western Australia Dept. of Agriculture

Miconia calvescens in Hawaii: a summary
[online]

(External) Miconia ( Miconia calvescens ) overview from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC)
Miconia's description, impacts, images, and distribution in Hawaii are from HISC's high-profile invasive pests site.

Miconia calvescens in Hawaii: a summary (historical)
An overview of miconia in Hawaii published in 1997 provides a historical perspective of the miconia invasion (HEAR).

Miconia calvescens information from PIER
Information on Miconia calvescens as relevant to Pacific Islands is provided by the Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk project (PIER).

(External) Miconia calvescens information
Miconia calvescens ecology, habitat, dispersal, and management are from The Global Invasive Species Database.

(External) Miconia calvescens description and ecology from GISD (ISSG)
A species description and information about the ecology of Miconia calvescens as an invasive species is provided from the (External) Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) . GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's (External) Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) .


Taxonomy & nomenclature

(External) ITIS nomenclature info for Miconia calvescens
Nomenclatural information about Miconia calvescens is provided by (External) ITIS .


Pest alerts

WANTED: Locations of Miconia
General information on Miconia is presented by HEAR.

Miconia ( Miconia calvescens ): MISC target species
Miconia ( Miconia calvescens ) is targeted by the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC).

(External) Miconia ( Miconia calvescens ) overview from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC)
Miconia's description, impacts, images, and distribution in Hawaii are from HISC's high-profile invasive pests site.

Control methods for Miconia  

View info about Adobe Acrobat PDF format
Provides simple to follow steps on how to stop the Miconia invasion on the Island of Hawaii.


Impacts

(External) Miconia ( Miconia calvescens ) overview from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC)
Miconia's description, impacts, images, and distribution in Hawaii are from HISC's high-profile invasive pests site.

Miconia calvescens (Melastomataceae): species information from GCW
Information on Miconia calvescens as relevant to Pacific Islands is provided by the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

(External) Miconia calvescens impact information from GISD (ISSG)
Impact information regarding Miconia calvescens as an invasive species is provided from the (External) Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) . GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's (External) Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) .


Control methods

Control methods for Miconia  

View info about Adobe Acrobat PDF format
Provides simple to follow steps on how to stop the Miconia invasion on the Island of Hawaii.

(External) Ecology, host specificity and impact of Atomacera petroa on Miconia calvescens
The potential of the sawfly Atomacera petroa (Hymenoptera: Argidae) as a biological control agent of miconia was evaluated in field and laboratory studies in its native range in Brazil (abstract, Biological Control, 2007).

(External) Ecology and impact of Allorhogas sp. and Apion sp. on fruits of miconia in Brazil
A gall wasp, Allorhogas sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and a beetle, Apion sp. (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea), were evaluated in their native habitat in Brazil as potential biological control agents of miconia (abstract, Biological Control, 2007)

(External) Miconia biocontrol - 2006 report
A fungus and a type of nematode are being tested as potential biocontrols for miconia, according to this report from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

(External) Introductions for biological control in Hawaii 1997-2001  

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The introduction of 16 insect and five fungal species to control six weeds and four insect pests in Hawaii from 1997-2001 is discussed in a paper by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (Proceedings Hawaiian Entomological Society, 2003).

(External) Search for biological control of Miconia calvescens
Images of natural enemies of miconia found in Central and South America are from a 1993-1995 Hawaii Department of Agriculture search for biocontrol agents.

(External) Search the web for "miconia calvescens" and "control method"
Search the web for "miconia calvescens" and "control method".

HEAR HNIS report on Miconia calvescens  

View info about Adobe Acrobat PDF format
Rod Randall - Western Australia Dept. of Agriculture

Big Island Melastome Action Committee: Miconia calvescens control program overview  

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Miconia's history on the Big Island from introduction to control activities is reviewed in this paper from Proceedings of the First Regional Conference on Miconia Control (1997).

Miconia "Treat-It-Yourself" poster  

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Practical methods for controlling miconia on one's own property are presented (HEAR).

(External) Miconia calvescens management information from GISD (ISSG)
Management information for Miconia calvescens as an invasive species is provided from the (External) Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) . GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's (External) Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) .

(External) Herbicidal weed control methods for pastures and natural areas of Hawaii  

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This comprehensive review of herbicide application methods includes calculations for formulations, and appendices listing herbicides registered for use in Hawaii and their toxicities (University of Hawaii, 2002).


Biocontrol efforts

(External) 2006 Annual Report for Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) Plant Pest Control Branch  

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New insect introductions and projects involving invasive species are reviewed in Appendix IV of the 2006 HDOA annual report.


Recovery & restoration

BIISC's Operation Miconia
Operation Miconia reports activities and target areas to combat miconia by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC).


Images

Images of Miconia calvescens (Melastomataceae) (Miconia)
Links to high-resolution free images of Miconia calvescens (Melastomataceae) (Miconia) by Forest & Kim Starr (USGS) are available here.

(External) Miconia   calvescens information from the Smithsonian Flora of the Hawaiian Islands  

new posting  
Information about Miconia   calvescens in Hawaii is available from the Smithsonian Flora of the Hawaiian Islands.

Miconia calvescens images from PIER
Images of Miconia calvescens provided by the Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk project (PIER).


Distribution

(External) Miconia   calvescens information from the Smithsonian Flora of the Hawaiian Islands  

new posting  
Information about Miconia   calvescens in Hawaii is available from the Smithsonian Flora of the Hawaiian Islands.

(External) Invasive species in the Pacific: A technical review and draft regional strategy (2000)  

View info about Adobe Acrobat PDF format
The status of invasive plants, vertebrates, arthropods, molluscs, and crustaceans, and options for a regional invasive species strategy for the South Pacific are presented in this series of articles from the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, 2000.

(External) Miconia ( Miconia calvescens ) overview from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC)
Miconia's description, impacts, images, and distribution in Hawaii are from HISC's high-profile invasive pests site.

(External) Miconia calvescens worldwide distribution from GISD (ISSG)
Worldwide distribution information about Miconia calvescens is provided from the (External) Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) . GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's (External) Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) .


Case studies

(External) Community outreach and interagency involvement: Examples from Maui, Hawaii
The importance of interagency cooperation and public education when combatting alien species is exemplified by efforts on Maui to control feral rabbits and miconia (L. Loope, 1992).


Books

Turning the tide: The eradication of invasive species (proceedings of the International Conference on Eradication of Island Invasives)
Veitch, C.R. and M.N. Clout (eds.) . 2002. Turning the tide: The eradication of invasive species (proceedings of the International Conference on Eradication of Island Invasives). IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. vii + 414pp. ISBN: 2-8317-0682-3.

Weeds of Hawaii's Pastures and Natural Areas: An Identification and Management Guide
Motooka, Philip, Luisa Castro, Duane Nelson, Guy Nagai, and Lincoln Ching. 2003. Weeds of Hawaii's Pastures and Natural Areas: An Identification and Management Guide. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (University of Hawaii--Manoa), Honolulu. 184 pp. color illus. ISBN: 1-929325-14-2.


In the news

(External) The Nature Conservancy tests 'revolutionary' new technology to protect native forests
New remote sensing technology using multi-spectral imaging will let conservation officials sit at computer screens and recognize the major weeds on their properties. Australian tree fern, miconia or strawberry guava plants can be located in remote forested areas, according to tests from TNC on Kauai (TNC, 7/29/2008).

(External) Miconia fighters face funding cut, 28 February 2007
Federal funding cuts will force reductions of efforts against miconia and other invasives, according to the Maui Invasive Species Committee (Maui News).

All hands can be part of defense against miconia invasion  

View info about Adobe Acrobat PDF format
Miconia is the topic of the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) Kiai Moku Maui News column (8/13/2006).

(External) Two steps forward, one step back in the fight against miconia, 6 August 2006
Budget cuts threaten progress against miconia in Maui's forests (Maui News).

Operation Miconia: One year later
Mobilization of funds and manpower to combat miconia in Hawaii is documented in this 1997 report from The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii.


Full-text articles

Mechanisms of invasion by Miconia calvescens in French Polynesia
Miconia's invasion in the Society Archipelago and factors contributing to the species' success are documented in this doctoral thesis (Jean-Yves Meyer; 1994, in French with appended English manuscripts).

Proceedings of the First Regional Conference on Miconia Control (26-29 August 1997)
The complete Proceedings of the First Regional Conference on Miconia Control (26-29 August 1997) is available online in French and/or English (Actes de la Premiere Conference Regionale sur la Lutte contre Miconia [26-29 aout 1997])

(External) Status and Management of an Invasive Plant, Miconia calvescens DC (Melastomaceae) in the Hawaiian Islands  

View info about Adobe Acrobat PDF format
The full text of the article "Status and Management of an Invasive Plant, Miconia calvescens DC (Melastomaceae) in the Hawaiian Islands" is available online from the Bishop Museum website.

Alien plant invasions in native ecosystems of Hawaii: Management and research
Stone, Charles P., Clifford W. Smith, and J. Timothy Tunison (eds.) . 1992. Alien plant invasions in native ecosystems of Hawaii: Management and research. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit. ISBN: 0-8248-1474-6.

Invasive species in the Pacific: A technical review and draft regional strategy
South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP). Sherley, Greg (ed.) . 2000. Invasive species in the Pacific: A technical review and draft regional strategy. Apia, Samoa: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme. ISBN: 982-04-0214-X.

Turning the tide: The eradication of invasive species (proceedings of the International Conference on Eradication of Island Invasives)
Veitch, C.R. and M.N. Clout (eds.) . 2002. Turning the tide: The eradication of invasive species (proceedings of the International Conference on Eradication of Island Invasives). IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. vii + 414pp. ISBN: 2-8317-0682-3.

Weeds of Hawaii's Pastures and Natural Areas: An Identification and Management Guide
Motooka, Philip, Luisa Castro, Duane Nelson, Guy Nagai, and Lincoln Ching. 2003. Weeds of Hawaii's Pastures and Natural Areas: An Identification and Management Guide. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (University of Hawaii--Manoa), Honolulu. 184 pp. color illus. ISBN: 1-929325-14-2.

Assessing the risks of plant invasions arising from collections in tropical botanical gardens
Dawson, Wayne, Ahmed S. Mndolwa, David F. R. P. Burslem, and Philip E. Hulme. 2008. Assessing the risks of plant invasions arising from collections in tropical botanical gardens. Biodiversity Conservation. Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008.

Ecology, host specificity and impact of Atomacera petroa Smith (Hymenoptera: Argidae) on Miconia calvescens DC (Melastomataceae)
Badenes-Perez, Francisco R. and M. Tracy Johnson. 2007. Ecology, host specificity and impact of Atomacera petroa Smith (Hymenoptera: Argidae) on Miconia calvescens DC (Melastomataceae). Biological Control. Volume 43, Issue 1, October 2007, pp. 95-101.

Phenology, reproductive potential, seed dispersal and predation, and seedling establishment of three invasive plant species in a Hawaiian rain forest
Medeiros, A.C. 2004. Phenology, reproductive potential, seed dispersal and predation, and seedling establishment of three invasive plant species in a Hawaiian rain forest. Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Zoology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu.

Proceedings of workshop on biological control of native ecosystems in Hawaii
Smith, Clifford W., Julie Denslow, and Stephen Hight (eds.) . 2002. Proceedings of workshop on biological control of native ecosystems in Hawaii. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Botany) Technical Report 129. 122 pages.

Classical biological control of Clidemia hirta (Melastomataceae) in Hawaii using multiple strategies
Conant, Patrick. 2002. Classical biological control of Clidemia hirta (Melastomataceae) in Hawaii using multiple strategies. pp. 13-20 in Smith, Clifford W., Julie Denslow, and Stephen Hight (eds). 2002. Proceedings of workshop on biological control of native ecosystems in Hawaii. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Botany) Technical Report 129. 122 pages. from http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/techr/129.pdf accessed 16 March 2008.

Biological control potential of Miconia calvescens using three fungal pathogens
Killgore, Eloise M. 2002. Biological control potential of Miconia calvescens using three fungal pathogens. pp. 45-52 in Smith, Clifford W., Julie Denslow, and Stephen Hight (eds). 2002. Proceedings of workshop on biological control of native ecosystems in Hawaii. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Botany) Technical Report 129. 122 pages. from http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/techr/129.pdf accessed 16 March 2008.

Predictable risk to native plants in biological control of weeds in Hawaii
Pemberton, Robert W. 2002. Predictable risk to native plants in biological control of weeds in Hawaii. pp. 77-85 in Smith, Clifford W., Julie Denslow, and Stephen Hight (eds). 2002. Proceedings of workshop on biological control of native ecosystems in Hawaii. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Botany) Technical Report 129. 122 pages. from http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/techr/129.pdf accessed 16 March 2008.

Forest pest biological control program in Hawaii
Smith, Clifford W. 2002. Forest pest biological control program in Hawaii. pp. 91-98 in Smith, Clifford W., Julie Denslow, and Stephen Hight (eds). 2002. Proceedings of workshop on biological control of native ecosystems in Hawaii. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Botany) Technical Report 129. 122 pages. from http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/techr/129.pdf accessed 16 March 2008.

A resource manager's perspective on the role of biocontrol in conservation areas in Hawaii
Tunison, J.T. 2002. A resource manager's perspective on the role of biocontrol in conservation areas in Hawaii. pp. 103-107 in Smith, Clifford W., Julie Denslow, and Stephen Hight (eds). 2002. Proceedings of workshop on biological control of native ecosystems in Hawaii. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Botany) Technical Report 129. 122 pages. from http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/techr/129.pdf accessed 16 March 2008.

Biological control of invasive plants in native Hawaiian ecosystems (synthesis and conclusions)
Smith, Clifford W., Julie Denslow, and Stephen Hight. 2002. Biological control of invasive plants in native Hawaiian ecosystems (synthesis and conclusions). pp. 117-122 in 2002. Smith, Clifford W., Julie Denslow, and Stephen Hight. pp. 117-122 in Smith, Clifford W., Julie Denslow, and Stephen Hight (eds). 2002. Proceedings of workshop on biological control of native ecosystems in Hawaii. Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Botany) Technical Report 129. 122 pages. from http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/techr/129.pdf accessed 16 March 2008.

Introductions for biological control in Hawaii 1997-2001
Culliney, Thomas W., Walter T. Nagamine, and Kenneth K. Teramoto. 2003. Introductions for biological control in Hawaii 1997-2001. Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc. (2003) 36:145-153.

(External) Responses to light and water availability of four invasive Melastomataceae in Hawaii
"To understand life history traits of four successful invasive Melastomataceae, two shade-intolerant herbs ( Arthrostema ciliatum and Tibouchina herbacea ) and two shade-tolerant woody species ( Clidemia hirta , a shrub, and Miconia calvescens , a tree) were subjected to three light levels and two watering regimes in a greenhouse".


Presentations

(External) Jumping the fence: Ways of dealing with invasive plants in landscaping  

View info about Adobe Acrobat PDF format
Strategies for avoiding invasives in landscaping, including voluntary codes of conduct among landscapers, and developing seedless varieties and tetraploids, are in this presentation from University of Hawaii.


Workshop/conference proceedings

2009 International Miconia Conference  

important item  
The 2009 International Miconia Conference "Pulling it all Together" brings together scientists, resource managers, field technicians, and funding agencies to focus on the challenges and successes associated with miconia invasions across the Pacific. The conference provides opportunities to review current control strategies, learn the status of potential biocontrol agents, discuss outreach and funding strategies, and explore the beautiful East Maui region. The conference dates are May 4-7, 2009.

Proceedings of the First Regional Conference on Miconia Control (26-29 August 1997)
The complete Proceedings of the First Regional Conference on Miconia Control (26-29 August 1997) is available online in French and/or English (Actes de la Premiere Conference Regionale sur la Lutte contre Miconia [26-29 aout 1997])

1997 Miconia calvescens Tahiti conference proceedings
Proceedings of the First Regional Conference on Miconia Control held in Tahiti are presented in English and French (26-29 August 1997, HEAR).


Bibliography

References for Miconia calvescens
Bibliographic references for Miconia calvescens are provided by HEAR .


Experts

(External) Miconia calvescens contacts from GISD (ISSG)
Contact information for experts on Miconia calvescens as an invasive species is provided from the (External) Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) . GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's (External) Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) .


Other resources

BIISC's Operation Miconia
Operation Miconia reports activities and target areas to combat miconia by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC).

(External) Search the web for "miconia calvescens" and "control method"
Search the web for "miconia calvescens" and "control method".

(External) Miconia calvescens references from GISD (ISSG)
References regarding Miconia calvescens as an invasive species is provided from the (External) Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) . GISD was created and is maintained by IUCN's (External) Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) .

(External) Responses to light and water availability of four invasive Melastomataceae in Hawaii
"To understand life history traits of four successful invasive Melastomataceae, two shade-intolerant herbs ( Arthrostema ciliatum and Tibouchina herbacea ) and two shade-tolerant woody species ( Clidemia hirta , a shrub, and Miconia calvescens , a tree) were subjected to three light levels and two watering regimes in a greenhouse".



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