Family: Lamiaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Oxera pulchella (royal vine) is native to New Caledonia, where it grows in tropical forest habitats. It is a climbing vine known for its attractive, showy flowers and vigorous twining growth habit. In ornamental horticulture, it is valued as a decorative vine for gardens and landscapes, where it can be trained on trellises, fences, or other supports to create lush vertical greenery and seasonal floral displays.

Risks & Threats
This species is considered low risk and is not known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands. It does not currently show traits associated with significant invasive behavior in similar environments. While all introduced ornamentals should be monitored after planting, royal vine is not considered a major ecological threat at this time and poses minimal concern for natural ecosystems under current knowledge.

High Risk Traits:

• Climbing/smothering growth habit (woody vine)
  
• Tolerates a range of soils (acidic to neutral, calcareous)
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Produces viable seed (easy germination)
  
• Hybridizes naturally
  
• Intentionally dispersed by people (ornamental sales)
  
• Native to tropical climates (USDA zones 10-11)

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of naturalization or weediness
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Non-toxic (animals and humans)
  
• No dense thickets
  
• No vegetative fragmentation
  
• No wind/water dispersal (fleshy fruits)
  
• Low seed production (~640 seeds/year)