Family: Sapotaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Mimusops caffra (coastal red milkwood) is native to the coastal dune forests of southern Africa, where it grows as a medium to large evergreen tree adapted to sandy soils, salt spray, and windy coastal conditions. It has glossy, leathery dark green leaves and produces small, fragrant white to cream-colored flowers followed by reddish to orange, edible-looking fruits. Like other milkwoods, it exudes a milky latex when cut. In its native range, it is valued for coastal stabilization, shade, ornamental planting, and habitat for wildlife, and is sometimes used in landscaping in other warm coastal regions due to its hardiness and attractive form.

Risks & Threats
Although Mimusops caffra is not known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses traits that are cause for concern. Its tolerance of salt, wind, and poor soils, combined with fleshy fruits that may be dispersed by birds or other animals, could allow it to establish in coastal ecosystems similar to those found in Hawaiʻi. If it were to escape cultivation, it could potentially compete with native coastal plants and alter dune and shoreline habitats that are already vulnerable. Because of these characteristics, ongoing evaluation is needed to determine whether it could pose a future risk to Hawaiʻi’s native coastal ecosystems, and caution is recommended to ensure it does not become a negative impact species.

High Risk Traits:

• Possibly naturalizing in Hilo, Hawaii
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Host of the Mediterranean fruit fly
  
• May form dense thickets
  
• Possibly self-compatible
  
• Can spread vegetatively by branches that touch and root into the ground
  
• Seeds dispersed by water, birds and mammals

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness elsewhere
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Palatable to browsing animals
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Prefers sandy soils and full sun (may limit spread beyond coastal settings)
  
• Slow growth rate and long time to maturity
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value
  
• Timber tree