Family: Myrtaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Tolerates many soil types
- Reproduces by seed
- Hybridizes with other species and genera
- Possibly self-compatible
- Reaches maturity rapidly (12-18 months)
- “Fruit” (one-seeded nut) likely dispersed by wind, and intentionally by people
- Seeds in genus may form a persistent soil seed bank (unknown for V. plumosa)
- Resprouts after cutting and fire
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but limited evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Grows best in full sun to partial shade (dense shade may limit ability to spread)
- Not reported to spread vegetatively