Personal Field Trip #2

Eucalyptus deglupta
A pretty tall tree, also known as Rainbow Eucalyptus, it is only found natural in the northern hemisphere. It has a unique multi-colored bark that makes it stand out from other trees. The bark is shed at different times which is what gives it the different colors. It is known for having blue, orange, purple, and maroon colors showing in the bark. It has green oval shaped leaves that come to a point some times taking on a curved shape inclining towards that of a scythe.
It can grow 8 feet a year reaching a height of 200-250 feet and a diameter of 8 feet wide.
Its a very tropical tree preferring average monthly rainfall to be at least 150 mm and a warm temperature of 70-90 F.

In 1870, the Eucalyptus tree was planted in Maui and at first seemed like a nice addition for a pleasant aromatic plant to grow here. The issue is that these trees are virtual monocultures which means they end up choking out all surrounding native plant life much like a weed would do.

Coccinia grandis
Ivy Gourd can grow up to 4 inches per day making it extremely invasive. It forms into dense blankets that end up stealing sunlight and nutrients from other plants. It was first intro ducked at as a food crop although quickly developed a reputation for infestation. It has been prepared in the use of medicinal tonics to alleviate symptoms of scabies as well as an effective anti-histamine.

Ivy Gourd This white flower, with five pedals and oblong red fruits, ends up attaching to shrubs, trees, houses, porches, fences, and telephone poles. If gone unattended then the Ivy Gourd can create a dense canopy that can suffocate other hosts under a its blanket of vines.

Arundo donax
Giant Reed prefers damp soils and forms into dense strands. It can grow up to 20 ft tall and sometimes reaching heights of 33 feet in the proper conditions. It has a hollow stem that averages 2 centimeters in width. The leaves are a grey-green color and come to a tapered tip. It is similar in appearances to the common reed (Phragmites australis) or bamboo (Subfamily Bambusoideae).

Giant Reed flowers during late summer with feathery plumes of 40 to 60 centimeters although are mostly seedless or with infertile seeds. Reproduction mostly happens vegetively by underground rhizomes. These rhizomes are very tough and fibrous and climb into knotty matts that can reach 4 feet into the earth. This allows the Giant Reed to be well adapted to floods and also increase its ability to invade areas of non native plants.

Giant Reed has also caused issues since its introduction as a non native species to the local native ones. This reed spreads rather quickly and can end up blocking streams and water flow which can inevitably lead to erosion and flooding. It can grow up to 20 feet tall.

12. Name five ways non-native invasive plant species can alter ecosystems.
Non-native plant species are invasive because of the way they displace native species and high jack nutrients for themselves. They can filter out sunlight from native species and use up precious water reserves. Another way they can alter ecosystems is by poisoning other animals and plant species.




Work Cited:
http://www.mauiinformationguide.com/invasive-species.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus_deglupta
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arundo_donax