Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Vine Mesquite (Hopia obtusa) - Uncertain Risk

Hopia obtusa, Vine Mesquite, is a flowering plant that is native to Mexico and the United States (Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah). H. obtusa is a warm season, stoloniferous perennial that grows and produces from Spring to August. Vine Mesquite is grazed by livestock and wildlife. Humans use this grain as a method to control erosion in waterways and small gullies. Although introduced at one point in the Czech Republic, it is unclear if there was ever an established population. There were no other records of introduction found. This species is available in trade and can be shipped throughout the United States. No information on the volume of trade was available. Therefore, the History of Invasiveness for Hopia obtusa is classified as No Known Nonnative Population. The climate matching analysis for the contiguous United States indicates establishment concern for this species outside its native range. The highest climate match was present in this species native range as well as the surrounding areas in the southwestern and mid-western states. The Certainty of Assessment for this ERSS is classified as Low due to the lack of information regarding introductions and impacts. The Overall Risk Assessment Category for Hopia obtusa in the contiguous United States is Uncertain.