Family: Malpighiaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Stigmaphyllon floribundum is a tropical flowering vine native to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It is valued as an ornamental plant for its vigorous growth, glossy foliage, and abundant clusters of bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. This climbing vine is often grown on trellises, fences, arbors, and other landscape structures where it can provide colorful floral displays and dense green cover. Its attractive blooms and adaptability to warm climates have made it a popular choice in tropical and subtropical gardens.

Risks & Threats:
Stigmaphyllon floribundum is considered a low-risk species and is not known to pose significant invasive threats in Hawaiʻi or other tropical island ecosystems. While the vine can grow vigorously under favorable conditions, there is little evidence that it spreads aggressively into natural areas or displaces native vegetation. As with any introduced plant, gardeners should monitor its growth and manage it appropriately to prevent unwanted spread beyond cultivated settings. When properly maintained, it can be a useful ornamental vine with minimal environmental concerns.

High Risk Traits:

• Tropical/subtropical native range
  
• Climbing woody vine (smothering growth habit)
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Wind-dispersed winged fruit (samara)

Low Risk Traits:

• No naturalization
  
• Not a weed (garden, agricultural, or environmental)
  
• No congeneric weeds known
  
• No spines, thorns, burrs, or toxicity
  
• Not shade tolerant (prefers sun)
  
• Requires specialist bee pollinators
  
• Low seed output (3 seeds/fruit)
  
• No seed bank persistence data
  
• No animal or water dispersal
  
• No intentional human dispersal or contaminant spread