Family: Fabaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Platymiscium stipulare, commonly known as platymiscium, cahap nana, huambisa, or caoba, is a tropical hardwood tree native to western South America through northern Brazil. This medium to large tree is valued for its attractive, durable wood, which has been used for furniture, cabinetry, construction, and specialty woodworking. It typically produces compound leaves, small yellow flowers, and flattened seed pods. Because of its ornamental appearance, shade value, and useful timber, it has been planted in tropical regions outside its native range. In Hawaiʻi, it has become naturalized on Oʻahu.

Risks & Threats
Although Platymiscium stipulare is not currently considered a major invasive species in Hawaiʻi, it is naturalized and does possess traits that are cause for concern. Its ability to reproduce and persist outside cultivation suggests it may spread into additional areas over time, particularly in suitable tropical habitats. Trees that establish self-sustaining populations can potentially compete with native vegetation, alter forest structure, or expand into unmanaged landscapes. Ongoing evaluation is needed, and caution is recommended when planting this species to help ensure that it will not negatively impact Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems in the future.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Oahu (Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Classified as a potential environmental weed, and controlled by the Department of Forestry and Wildlife as a possible threat to natural areas
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Nitrogen fixing (may alter soil chemistry)
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Self-fertile (based on observations of a single tree's ability to produce seedlings)
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, possibly water, and intentionally by people
  
• Gaps in biological and ecological information may reduce accuracy of risk prediction

Low Risk Traits:

• Although documented as invasive, impacts and threats to native ecosystems are unclear
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively