Family: Phyllanthaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability; Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Naturalized on Maui (Hawaiian Islands), Florida, Mauritius and Reunion, and possibly elsewhere
- Regarded as an invasive weed in Florida, with the potential to impact natural ecosystems
- Some forms are spiny
- Toxic to camels
- May form thickets that could exclude other vegetation
- Tolerates many soil types
- Reproduces by seeds
- Seeds dispersed by birds, water and intentionally by people
- Able to resprout after fires
- Gaps in biological and ecological information may limit accuracy of risk assessment
Low Risk Traits:
- Non-spiny forms exist
- Provides fodder for livestock (only reported to be toxic to camels)
- Valued for its edible fruit and medicinal uses
- Dioecious
- Not reported to spread vegetatively