PRE Pairing for Success: Emerging Invasives, Contentious Cultivars & Common Ground
Context
Through a 2017 Farm Bill grant, 4 botanic gardens across the nation commenced deployment of the PRE™ (Plant Risk Evaluator) tool and database. Each botanic garden partner assessed 50 plants of interest or contention within their region, for a total of 200 regional assessments. Please see below for links to PDFs of each evaluation.
PRE is a 20 question plant risk assessment tool. It is also an online platform and database enabling those involved in non-native, terrestrial plant production to know before they grow if a plant poses a potential regional invasive risk. Click here for more information on PRE. If you’re interested in getting involved as a PRE reviewer or having a PRE account for your organization, please email us at info@plantright.org.
Project
This year-long project significantly advanced the PRE tool, database, and process in many ways: improving ease of use for users; growing the database beyond California; increasing awareness of PRE as a resource nationally; and providing better understanding of each phase and role within the PRE process. Questions we aimed to answer over the course of the project included:
Collaboration: How does PRE (tool + process) advance substantive collaboration among horticultural stakeholders which results in better plants being promoted and fewer invasive plant risks?
Multi-Region Comparison: For taxa evaluated in 2 or more states, how do state assessment ratings compare?
Invasive Risk Categories: For taxa rated as “Evaluate Further”, did missing biological information contribute to the assessment outcome; and if so, then what kind of information would be needed to answer more questions? Would this resolve the outcome to either Low Risk or High Risk? For PRE purposes, would “Moderate Risk” be a more appropriate term than “Evaluate Further”?
Cultivars: How does the PRE model work for cultivars? Can PRE be improved to handle unique aspects of cultivars, or any non-native plants new to the marketplace (and science), with very little information about their behavior on the landscape?
Invasive Concern: Which of the taxa evaluated are predicted to have a high risk of invasiveness in the state? Low risk of invasiveness? Following stakeholder review, which taxa could be considered invasive risk priorities in the state, if not considered “emerging invasives?”
To increase stakeholder collaboration and improve the quality of the evaluations, we aimed to have each evaluation reviewed by representatives from industry, plant science, and conservation. Most evaluations were reviewed twice; all evaluations were reviewed at least once. Please note: for a given evaluation, the PDF report might not reflect all reviews, as stakeholders began reviewing evaluations before this functionality (marking the evaluation reviewed) was added to the PRE site.
Regional Collaborators:
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Botanical Research Institute of Texas with Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Chicago Botanic Garden
University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Each region evaluated 50 plants including landscape plants of significant economic impact grown or sold in the region and contentious cultivars in the region. 23 plants of common concern were also assessed (evaluated in 2 or more regions).
Regional Evaluation PDF Links
| Plant | Region | Download Report |
|---|---|---|
| Acer buergerianum | Georgia |  Download PDF |
| Agapanthus praecox ssp. minimus ‘Peter Pan’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Ailanthus altissima | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Albizia julibrissin | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Ampelopsis brevipedunculata | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Ardisia crenata | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Arundo donax | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Berberis thunbergii | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Broussonetia papyrifera | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Camellia oleifera | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Celastrus orbiculatus | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Cinnamomum camphora | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Dioscorea bulbifera | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Elaeagnus pungens | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Elaeagnus umbellata | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Euonymus fortunei | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Euonymus fortunei ‘Coloratus’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Festuca arundinacea | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Firmiana simplex | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Hibiscus syriacus ‘Diana’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Ilex cornuta ‘Needlepoint’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Lagerstroemia indica ‘Natchez’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Ligustrum japonicum ‘Recurvifolium’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Ligustrum sinense ‘Sunshine’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Lonicera fragrantissima | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Lonicera japonica | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Lygodium japonicum | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Mahonia bealei | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Melia azedarach | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Miscanthus sinensis ‘Scout’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Paulownia tomentosa | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Pistacia chinensis | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Poncirus trifoliata | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Pyracantha coccinea | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Quercus acutissima | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Reynoutria japonica | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Rosa multiflora | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Schinus terebinthifolia | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Spiraea japonica ‘Gold Mound’ | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Triadica sebifera | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Vernicia fordii | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Vinca major | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Vinca minor | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Wisteria sinensis | Georgia | Download PDF |
| Acer palmatum | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Acer platanoides ‘Royal Red’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Aegopodium podagraria | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Alnus glutinosa | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Ampelopsis brevipedunculata ‘Elegans’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Berberis thunbergii ‘Rose Glow’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Buddleja davidii ‘Royal Red’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Euonymus alatus ‘Rudy Haag’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Euonymus fortunei | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Forsythia ‘Sunrise’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Frangula alnus ‘Ron Williams’ FINE LINE | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Gentiana cruciata | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Geranium sanguineum var. striatum | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Hedera helix ‘Thorndale’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Hemerocallis ‘Stella d’Oro’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Hosta ‘Halcyon’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Hosta sieboldiana ‘Frances Williams’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailmer’ ENDLESS SUMMER THE ORIGINAL | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Hypericum x inodorum ‘Kolmapuki’ PUMPKIN | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Lilium szovitsianum | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Lythrum virgatum ‘Morden Gleam’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Malus ‘Adams’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Malus ‘Donald Wyman’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Malus ‘Jewelcole’ RED JEWEL | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus ‘Cabaret’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Pennisetum alopecuroides | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Polygonatum glaberrimum | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Pyrus calleryana ‘Glen’s Form’ CHANTICLEER | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Reynoutria japonica ‘Devon Cream’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Reynoutria japonica ‘Variegata’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Rosa oxyodon | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Salvia x sylvestris ‘Mainacht’ MAY NIGHT | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Sambucus tigranii | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Spiraea japonica | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Syringa reticulata | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Tilia cordata ‘PNI 6025’ GREENSPIRE | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Viburnum dilatatum ‘Henneke’ CARDINAL CANDY | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Vinca minor | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Weigela florida ‘Red Prince’ | Illinois | Download PDF |
| Acer platanoides | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Acer platanoides x truncatum ‘Keithsform’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Acer platanoides x truncatum ‘Warrenred’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Acer pseudosieboldianum | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Acer pseudosieboldianum x palmatum ‘IslAJ’ Arctic Jade | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Acer pseudosieboldianum x palmatum ‘IslNW’ North Wind | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Ajuga reptans | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Ampelopsis brevipedunculata | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Berberis thunbergii ‘Bagatelle’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Buddleja davidii | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Caragana arborescens | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Celastrus orbiculatus | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Cercis canadensis | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Digitalis lanata | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Dipsacus fullonum | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Dipsacus laciniatus | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Elaeagnus angustifolia | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Lamium maculatum | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Lamium maculatum ‘Beacon Silver’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Leucanthemum vulgare | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Leymus arenarius ‘Blue Dune’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Lonicera caerulea ‘Cinderella’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Lonicera caerulea ‘Tundra’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Lonicera tataricum ‘Honeyrose’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Miscanthus sinensis ‘Graziella’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Miscanthus sinensis ‘Purpurascens’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Morus alba | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Phellodendron amurense | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Pinus sylvestris | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Populus alba | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Pyrus ussuriensis | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Rhododendron ‘Electric Lights Double Pink’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Robinia pseudoacacia | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Rosa multiflora | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Scilla siberica | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Sorbus alnifolia | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Syringa reticulata | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Tanacetum vulgare | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Taxus cuspidata | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Ulmus pumila | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Viburnum lantana ‘Mohican’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Viburnum opulus L. | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Weigela florida ‘Red Prince’ | Minnesota | Download PDF |
| Abelia xgrandiflora | Texas | Download PDF |
| Albizia julibrissin | Texas | Download PDF |
| Allium sativum | Texas | Download PDF |
| Arundo donax | Texas | Download PDF |
| Asclepias curassavica | Texas | Download PDF |
| Bothriochloa ischaemum | Texas | Download PDF |
| Buddleja davidii | Texas | Download PDF |
| Clematis terniflora | Texas | Download PDF |
| Clerodendrum bungei | Texas | Download PDF |
| Colocasia esculenta | Texas | Download PDF |
| Elaeagnus umbellata | Texas | Download PDF |
| Eragrostis curvula | Texas | Download PDF |
| Euonymus alatus | Texas | Download PDF |
| Euonymus fortunei | Texas | Download PDF |
| Firmiana simplex | Texas | Download PDF |
| Hedera helix | Texas | Download PDF |
| Houttuynia cordata | Texas | Download PDF |
| Ilex aquifolium | Texas | Download PDF |
| Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii’ | Texas | Download PDF |
| Ipomoea batatas | Texas | Download PDF |
| Lagerstroemia indica | Texas | Download PDF |
| Lantana camara | Texas | Download PDF |
| Ligustrum sinense ‘Sunshine’ | Texas | Download PDF |
| Liriope spicata | Texas | Download PDF |
| Lonicera fragrantissima | Texas | Download PDF |
| Lonicera japonica | Texas | Download PDF |
| Lonicera maackii | Texas | Download PDF |
| Loropetalum chinense | Texas | Download PDF |
| Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘Sato’s Dwarf Red’ | Texas | Download PDF |
| Miscanthus sinensis | Texas | Download PDF |
| Nandina domestica | Texas | Download PDF |
| Pennisetum alopecuroides | Texas | Download PDF |
| Photinia x fraseri | Texas | Download PDF |
| Phyllostachys aurea | Texas | Download PDF |
| Pistacia chinensis | Texas | Download PDF |
| Plumbago auriculata | Texas | Download PDF |
| Portulaca grandiflora | Texas | Download PDF |
| Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’ | Texas | Download PDF |
| Rhaphiolepis indica var. umbellata | Texas | Download PDF |
| Ricinus communis | Texas | Download PDF |
| Ruellia brittoniana ‘Chi Chi’ | Texas | Download PDF |
| Triadica sebifera | Texas | Download PDF |
| Ulmus pumila | Texas | Download PDF |
| Vinca major | Texas | Download PDF |
| Viola odorata | Texas | Download PDF |
| Vitex agnus-castus | Texas | Download PDF |
| Wisteria sinensis | Texas | Download PDF |
| Wisteria sinensis ‘Angie’ | Texas | Download PDF |
| Wisteria sinensis ‘Jako’ | Texas | Download PDF |
| Wisteria sinensis ‘Prolific’ | Texas | Download PDF |
Links
How to Answer PRE Questions Guide – a guide for screeners on how to answer the 20 PRE questions, to maximize consistency and ensure screeners understand what the question is asking
PLOS ONE Published Research: The Development of a Plant Risk Evaluation (PRE) Tool for Assessing the Invasive Potential of Ornamental Plants – the Conser et al. research model upon which the online PRE is built.
Project Puts Collaboration First in Answering, “What’s Invasive?” — PlantRight blog post with more information about the 2017 Farm Bill project in the form of an editorial piece. Also covers the tool’s background and development and includes links to interviews with PRE screeners from all 4 botanic gardens.
Acknowledgements
This material was made possible, in part, by a Cooperative Agreement from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). It may not necessarily express APHIS’ views.
PRE Screeners:
Kylie Bucalo, Atlanta Botanical Garden
Lila Uzzell, Atlanta Botanical Garden
Melina Lozano Duran, Atlanta Botanical Garden
Emily Russell, Chicago Botanic Garden
Mike Monterusso, University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Dan Miller, University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Steve McNamara, University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Kim Taylor, Botanical Research Institute of Texas
—
Volunteer Stakeholder Reviewers:
Brian Jernigan (Georgia)
Eamonn Leonard (Georgia)
Chris Butts (Georgia)
Dave Coyle (Georgia)
John Ruter (Georgia)
Allan Armitage (Georgia)
Stewart Chandler (Georgia)
Harvey Cotten (Georgia)
Karan Rawlins (Georgia)
Henning von Schmeling (Georgia)
Shelly Matthew Prescott (Georgia)
Richard Hawke (Illinois)
Kim Shearer (Illinois)
Chris Evans (Illinois)
Shannon McEnerney (Illinois)
Jeff Mengler (Illinois)
Mike Daab (Illinois)
Clair Ryan (Illinois)
Linda MacKechnie (Illinois)
John Taft (Illinois)
Steve Worth (Illinois)
Mike Yanny (Illinois)
Laura Van Riper (Minnesota)
Tim Power (Minnesota)
Emilie Justen (Minnesota)
Angelique Dahlberg (Minnesota)
Christy Marsden (Minnesota)
Tim Vogel (Minnesota)
Mary Meyer (Minnesota)
Tom Buechel (Minnesota)
Matthew Kaproth (Minnesota)
Chel Anderson (Minnesota)
Charlotte Reemts (Texas)
Hans Landel (Texas)
Mengmeng Gu (Texas)
Steve Moore (Texas)
Trey Wyatt (Texas)
Barron Rector (Texas)
Jed Aplaca (Texas)
Autumn Smith-Herron (Texas)
—
Dave Waetjen, UC Davis Information Center for the Environment (PRE website developer)
Laura Miller, Texas A&M University Extension (Commercial Horticulture, PRE connector)
Sustainable Conservation
Horticultural Research Institute
Travis Bean (PRE Science Team/Advisory Group)
Elizabeth Brusati (PRE Science Team/Advisory Group)
Ramona Robison (PRE Science Team/Advisory Group)
Joe DiTomaso (PRE Science Team)
Dean Kelch (PRE Science Team)