Bridelia insulana, also known as Grey Birch or Prickly Bridelia, is a medium to large tree native to Southeast Asia, Malesia, and parts of northern Australia. It grows in tropical coastal lowland and rainforests, reaching heights of up to 25 meters, and is easily recognized by its thorns which cover the branches. Historically, local communities have used its wood for construction and tool handles, its bark as a dye, its leaves for traditional medicine and wrapping, and its fruits are considered edible.

While not currently known to be invasive elsewhere, Bridelia insulana possesses several traits that could pose a risk to tropical areas like Hawai‘i. Its thorns make it unpalatable and difficult to manage, and its fleshy fruits are readily eaten and dispersed by birds, facilitating potential spread. The tree is a known colonizer of disturbed forest gaps in its native range, suggesting it could exploit similar habitats if introduced. Given these characteristics, caution is advised regarding its planting and spread outside its natural range to prevent it from becoming a future management problem.