NPSpecies

Data Source: Urbatsch, L. E., D. M. Ferguson and S. M. Zumo. 2007. Vascular plant inventories of Jean Lafitte Historical Park and Preserve, Barataria and Chalmette Units.

FAC Facultative Equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands (estimated probability 34%-66%). Legacy NPSpecies information may no longer be applicable, please remove if it is not applicable. In legacy NPSpecies Weedy value was Yes with comment: Impacts and Considerations: 1)It is capable of invading wildland areas and rapidly replacing the natural communities with nearly monospecific stands of Sapium sebiferum. It is such an annoyance it has been called "Terrible Tallow" and the "Melaleuca of northern Florida" (Melaleuca is one of the most pernicious plant pests in Florida), and it has been included in The Nature Conservancy's list of The Dirty Dozen: America's Least Wanted. 2)Characteristic of woody invaders it grows rapidly, begins reproduction when young (i.e. only three years old), produces abundant viable seed, and can reproduce from cuttings. 3)Seed are spread by birds, and may also float for great distances. 4)Sapium sebiferum degrades the surrounding ecosystem by producing tannins and increasing the rate of eutrophication. It is unclear if it produces other allelopathic compounds. 5)The white sap may be a skin irritant or diarrhetic. 6)It is extremely popular among landscapers in the USA, Australia, and elsewhere, although it is becoming illegal to sell in some areas. In legacy NPSpecies Pest value was Yes with comment: Especially a problem on spoil banks and in wax myrtle thickets. http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=712&fr=1&sts=sss; http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/alert/alrtsapi.html

Data Source: Urbatsch, L. E., D. M. Ferguson and S. M. Zumo. 2007. Vascular plant inventories of Jean Lafitte Historical Park and Preserve, Barataria and Chalmette Units.

Park Species Data Source: BONAP database from contributed material.