Climate Matching Map
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| climatematch-enchylaena_tomentosa-arizona-20251102.pdf (1.05 MB) | 1.05 MB |
1. Question 1
Yes
1
Very High
Enchylaena tomentosa has an "A" Weed Pest Rating from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) (Serrano, 2016). The California distribution is known from a single infestation in Central San Diego County, likely of horticultural origin (Kelch, 2015). It has naturalized in Maui, where it has apparently been successfully eradicated (Kraus & Duffy, 2010). The Maui infestation was small and local (Penniman et al. 2011). The plant is reported as naturalized in New Caledonia (Kelch, 2015). Herbarium records on SEINet document naturalized occurrences in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, within urban settings (SEINet, 2021). In recent years, the species has also been recorded as a spontaneous weed in California, Arizona, Hawaii and Israel, presumably introduced in each case as a cultivated, drought-tolerant groundcover (Weeds of Melbourne, 2019).
Serrano, Lisa. 2016. “Pest Rating Proposals and Final Ratings”. California Department of Food \& Agriculture. http://blogs.cdfa.ca.gov/Section3162/?p=1958.
Kelch, Dean. 2015. “California Pest Rating for Enchylaena Tomentosa R. Br.; Ruby Saltbush”. https://blogs.cdfa.ca.gov/Section3162/?p=1207.
Kraus, Fred, and David C. Duffy. 2010. “A Successful Model from Hawaii for Rapid Response to Invasive Species”. Journal for Nature Conservation 18: 135-41. doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2009.07.001.
Penniman, T M, L. Buchanan, and L L Loope. 2011. “Recent Plant Eradications on the Islands of Maui County, Hawaii”, 7.
Portal, SEINet. 2021. “SEINet Arizona - New Mexico Chapter: Enchylaena Tomentosa Search Results”. swbiodiversity.org. https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/list.php.
Melbourne, Weeds of. 2019. “Ruby Saltbush”. https://weedsofmelbourne.org/ruby-saltbush-enchylaena-tomentosa.
2. Question 2
Yes
2
Very High
The Arizona PRE Combined map corresponds with the native distribution of Enchylaena tomentosa across the southern half of Australia (GBIF, 2021). In recent years, the species has also been recorded as a spontaneous weed in
California, Arizona, Hawaii and Israel (Weeds of Melbourne, 2019). All of these sites are climate matches for the natural Australian range of the plant, except Hawaii, and this may be a shortcoming of the resolution of the climate match tool. The climate match tool may have difficulty indicating climate matches for oceanic islands which are quite small on the global mapping scale. These islands often have great disparity in climates on different sides of the islands.
California, Arizona, Hawaii and Israel (Weeds of Melbourne, 2019). All of these sites are climate matches for the natural Australian range of the plant, except Hawaii, and this may be a shortcoming of the resolution of the climate match tool. The climate match tool may have difficulty indicating climate matches for oceanic islands which are quite small on the global mapping scale. These islands often have great disparity in climates on different sides of the islands.
Secretariat, GBIF. 2021. “GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Enchylaena Tomentosa”. https://www.gbif.org/species/7339776.
Melbourne, Weeds of. 2019. “Ruby Saltbush”. https://weedsofmelbourne.org/ruby-saltbush-enchylaena-tomentosa.
3. Question 3
No
0
High
Reports indicate naturalization outside the plant's native range, but these reports document small-scale occurrences (Kelch, 2015). Some of these populations have been small enough to be successfully eradicated (Kraus & Duffy, 2010). These reports do not show significant economic or environmental damage.
Kelch, Dean. 2015. “California Pest Rating for Enchylaena Tomentosa R. Br.; Ruby Saltbush”. https://blogs.cdfa.ca.gov/Section3162/?p=1207.
Kraus, Fred, and David C. Duffy. 2010. “A Successful Model from Hawaii for Rapid Response to Invasive Species”. Journal for Nature Conservation 18: 135-41. doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2009.07.001.
4. Question 4
No
0
High
In addition to Arizona, Enchylaena tomentosa is reported to be naturalized in Israel and California, in regions which match the PRE Combined data map. It is not shown as a match for the Hawaiian Islands, where a small population has naturalized (GBIF, 2021), (Kraus & Duffy, 2010). The extent of naturalization does not approach the scale of invasiveness.
Secretariat, GBIF. 2021. “GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Enchylaena Tomentosa”. https://www.gbif.org/species/7339776.
Kraus, Fred, and David C. Duffy. 2010. “A Successful Model from Hawaii for Rapid Response to Invasive Species”. Journal for Nature Conservation 18: 135-41. doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2009.07.001.
5. Question 5
No
0
High
Enchylaena tomentosa is the only species of Enchylaena listed in the Global Compendium of Weeds (Randall, 2007).
Randall, Rod. 2007. “Enchylaena Tomentosa; Global Compendium of Weeds”. Global Compendium of Weeds. http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/enchylaena_tomentosa/.
6. Question 6
Yes
2
Medium
The map of occurrences shown in GBIF show climate matches to the PRE Combined Climate Match Map for Enchylaena occurances in California, Arizona, and Israel. Matches are not shown for southern France, Hawaii, or New Caledonia (GBIF, 2021). This is approximately a 50/50 comparison. However it may be likely the climate match tool has difficulty indicating climate matches for oceanic islands which are quite small on the global mapping scale. These islands often have great disparity in climates on different sides of the islands.
Secretariat, GBIF. 2021. “GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Enchylaena Tomentosa”. https://www.gbif.org/species/7339776.
7. Question 7
Yes
1
High
Ruby saltbush is overgrowing adjacent vegetation; it is dense and its sprawling stems can smother other plants (Kelch, 2015).
Kelch, Dean. 2015. “California Pest Rating for Enchylaena Tomentosa R. Br.; Ruby Saltbush”. https://blogs.cdfa.ca.gov/Section3162/?p=1207.
8. Question 8
No
0
Medium
Enchaelaena tomentosa has succulent leaves (Kelch, 2015), which by inference are unlikely to support fire.
Kelch, Dean. 2015. “California Pest Rating for Enchylaena Tomentosa R. Br.; Ruby Saltbush”. https://blogs.cdfa.ca.gov/Section3162/?p=1207.
9. Question 9
No
0
Very High
Ruby saltbush ripe fruit can be picked and eaten raw, being described as salty-sweet. It is picked by the desert Aboriginal people as a snack food, although mainly eaten by children. The indigenous groups in Central Australia have been recorded as soaking the fruit in water to make a sweetened tea (Fitzpatrick, 2021). The plant has been examined for its potential as a forage crop, suggesting it is not poisonous to grazers (Durmic et al. 2010).
Durmic, Z., P. Hutton, D. K. Revell, J. Emms, S. Hughes, and P. E. Vercoe. 2010. “In Vitro Fermentative Traits of Australian Woody Perennial Plant Species That May Be Considered As Potential Sources of Feed for Grazing Ruminants”. Animal Feed Science and Technology 160: 98\textendash109. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2010.07.006.
Fitzpatrick, Poppy. 2021. “Indigenous Garden Spaces for Education”. Australian Garden History 32. Australian Garden History Society Melbourne, Vic.: 8-12.
10. Question 10
No
0
Medium
Ruby saltbush is described as open, straggling shrub native to Australia that can grow up to 2 m tall and wide, but is usually much shorter (Kelch, 2015). Also described as a sub-shrub, its low growth habit suggests it is unlikely to become massive enough to constitute an impenetrable thicket for people or large animals. No mention of the plant forming thickets has been found.
Kelch, Dean. 2015. “California Pest Rating for Enchylaena Tomentosa R. Br.; Ruby Saltbush”. https://blogs.cdfa.ca.gov/Section3162/?p=1207.
11. Question 11
No
0
Medium
Ruby saltbush is described as having a procumbent form, and some forms are prostrate (Hadlow, 1986). Plants of this form are prone to ground-layering of stems. However this habit has not been mentioned in descriptions of the plant. So if it does sometimes occur, it would appear to not happen to an extent that is notable.
Hadlow, Barrie. 1986. “Growing Native Plants - Enchylaena Toimentosa”. https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp13/enchylaena-tomentosa.html.
12. Question 12
No
0
Medium
Ruby saltbush is successfully propagated by cuttings (Hadlow, 1986). However descriptions of the plant do not mention a habit of natural spread by detached fragments.
Hadlow, Barrie. 1986. “Growing Native Plants - Enchylaena Toimentosa”. https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp13/enchylaena-tomentosa.html.
13. Question 13
Yes
1
Medium
The species is propagated successfully from seed (Hadlow, 1986).
Hadlow, Barrie. 1986. “Growing Native Plants - Enchylaena Toimentosa”. https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp13/enchylaena-tomentosa.html.
14. Question 14
No
0
Low
There is no direct evidence for the number of seeds produced, but based on the small size of the plants, and the coverage of berries seen in photos of the plant, it appears unlikely to reach 1000 seeds per year.
No references cited.
15. Question 15
Yes
1
Medium
Several studies have been conducted to ascertain potential allelopathic effects of Enchylaena, and of other shrubs on Enchylaena. In these studies the germination of Enchylaena seeds has proceeded without difficulty and without need of special treatments such as fire (Jefferson & Pennacchio, 2003).
Jefferson, L., V, and M Pennacchio. 2003. “Allelopathic Effects of Foliage Extracts from Four Chenopodiaceae Species on Seed Germination”. Journal of Arid Environments 55: 275-85. doi:10.1016/S0140-1963(03)00028-4.
16. Question 16
Yes
1
Low
I have answered this as "yes" by infrequence. Considering this as a woody shrub and allowing five years for maturation, it has the potential to fruit on small plants, as seen in photos illustrating some articles (Hadlow, 1986), (Weeds of Melbourne, 2019). Growth rate of seedlings is fast enough for seedlings to be grown and used in ecological studies (Jefferson & Pennacchio, 2003).
Hadlow, Barrie. 1986. “Growing Native Plants - Enchylaena Toimentosa”. https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp13/enchylaena-tomentosa.html.
Melbourne, Weeds of. 2019. “Ruby Saltbush”. https://weedsofmelbourne.org/ruby-saltbush-enchylaena-tomentosa.
Jefferson, L., V, and M Pennacchio. 2003. “Allelopathic Effects of Foliage Extracts from Four Chenopodiaceae Species on Seed Germination”. Journal of Arid Environments 55: 275-85. doi:10.1016/S0140-1963(03)00028-4.
17. Question 17
Yes
1
Medium
Flowers May to September (Spooner, 1999), suggesting fruit and seed production may be similarly prologued.
Spooner, Amanda. 1999. “Florabase - Enchylaena Tomentosa”. https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/2511.
18. Question 18
Yes
1
High
The seeds are dispersed by birds (Hastwell & Facelli, 2003). The plant produces numerous red, fleshy fruits typical of bird-dispersed woody plants (Kelch, 2015). Spread by ingestion by birds and other animals (Weeds of Melbourne, 2019). Ruby saltbush was found to be one of the predominant seeds in the gut of emus (Dustan, 2013). In Western Australia, emus show nomadic behavior in periods of food shortage, and can move >600km to areas where food is available (Calviño-Cancela, 2006).
Hastwell, Graeme T., and José M Facelli. 2003. “Differing Effects of Shade-Induced Facilitation on Growth and Survival During the Establishment of a Chenopod Shrub: \textitFacilitation, Growth and Survival”. Journal of Ecology 91: 941-50. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2745.2003.00832.x.
Kelch, Dean. 2015. “California Pest Rating for Enchylaena Tomentosa R. Br.; Ruby Saltbush”. https://blogs.cdfa.ca.gov/Section3162/?p=1207.
Melbourne, Weeds of. 2019. “Ruby Saltbush”. https://weedsofmelbourne.org/ruby-saltbush-enchylaena-tomentosa.
Dunstan, Heath, Singarayer Florentine, Maria Calvi\~no-Cancela, Martin Westbrooke, and G. Palmer. 2013. “Dietary Characteristics of Emus (Dromaius Novaehollandiae) in Semi-Arid New South Wales, Australia, and Dispersal and Germination of Ingested Seeds”. The Emu: Official Organ of the Australasian Ornithologists\textquoteright Union. doi:10.1071/MU12061.
Calvino-Cancela, Maria, Robert Dunn, Eddie van Etten, and Byron Lamont. 2006. “Emus As Non-Standard Seed Dispersers and Their Potential for Long-Distance Dispersal”. Ecography 29: 632-�640. doi:10.1111/j.0906-7590.2006.04677.x.
19. Question 19
No
0
Medium
The plant is noted as dispersed by seeds within berries (Wikipedia, 2021). These berries do not appear to have any adaptation for dispersal by wind or water.
2021. “Wikipedia; Enchylaena Tomentosa”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchylaena_tomentosa.
20. Question 20
No
0
Low
No evidence supporting dispersal of propagules by human activity.
No references cited.
Evaluation Notes
New Climate Match map and link added; some typographical corrections made to references for new web platform. Answer to #6 was not proofed against new map. Reference that could not be located for indigenous use of E. tomentosa d was replaced w/ Fitzpatrick 2021. J. Burger 11/2/2025
Total PRE Score
11
20
68
