Family: Rosaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica) is a compact evergreen shrub or small tree native to southern China, Indochina, Japan, the Ogasawara Islands, and Java. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical regions because of its attractive pink or white flowers, glossy dark green leaves, and clusters of blue-black berries. Indian hawthorn is commonly used in hedges, foundation plantings, borders, and landscape gardens due to its dense growth habit, tolerance of pruning, and ability to thrive in sunny coastal environments.

Risks & Threats
Indian hawthorn is considered a low-risk species for Hawaii. While it can produce abundant fruits that may occasionally be dispersed by birds, it has not shown strong invasive tendencies in the Hawaiian Islands. The species is generally slow growing and tends to remain where it is planted. As with many ornamental plants, proper garden maintenance and monitoring are recommended to prevent unwanted spread into nearby natural areas, but overall this species is not considered a significant threat to Hawaii’s native ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in Taiwan & Australia
  
• Broad climate suitability (zones 8A–11; 150–1600 m elevation)
  
• Native to subtropical/tropical regions
  
• Repeated introductions outside native range
  
• Tolerates wide range of soil types
  
• Bird-dispersed seeds (fleshy fruits)
  
• Seeds survive gut passage
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Intentionally spread by people (ornamental)

Low Risk Traits:

• Not an agricultural or environmental weed (low concern)
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not allelopathic, parasitic, or toxic
  
• Fire-resistant
  
• No vegetative spread in wild
  
• No wind/water dispersal
  
• Low seed production
  
• Controlled by herbicides (e.g., glyphosate)