Family: Apocynaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Mandevilla boliviensis (white dipladenia, white mandevilla) is a tropical vine native to Central and South America, ranging from Costa Rica to Bolivia. It is known for its attractive glossy green leaves and elegant, trumpet-shaped white flowers with yellow centers. This climbing plant is often grown as an ornamental in warm climates and container gardens, where it can be trained on trellises, fences, or allowed to cascade from hanging baskets. Its long blooming period and showy flowers make it popular for adding a tropical aesthetic to landscapes and patios.

Risks & Threats
Although Mandevilla boliviensis is not known to be naturalized in Hawaii, it does possess traits that are cause for concern, including vigorous vining growth and the ability to spread under favorable conditions. In similar tropical environments, related ornamental mandevilla species have shown potential to escape cultivation and compete with nearby vegetation. Caution is recommended when planting and managing this species to ensure it does not negatively impact Hawaii’s natural ecosystems. Ongoing evaluation is needed to better understand its behavior and potential invasiveness under local conditions.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Congeneric Weed (Mandevilla laxa)
  
• Toxic properties
  
• Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
  
• Intentionally planted by people (increases chances of escape)
  
• Seed (if produced) dispersed by wind

Low Risk Traits:

• No records of naturalization or invasiveness reported
  
• Unarmed
  
• Requires full sun
  
• Fruit and seed may be rarely, if ever, produced in cultivation
  
• Limited seed production minimizes risk of escape
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value