Family: Bignoniaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Handroanthus serratifolius, commonly known as yellow ipe or pau d’arco amarelo, is a striking flowering tree native to tropical regions of Central and South America. It is best known for its brilliant display of golden-yellow trumpet-shaped flowers, which often appear in abundance when the tree is leafless, creating a dramatic visual effect. This deciduous tree can grow quite tall and has a straight trunk with rough, grayish bark. Yellow ipe is widely planted as an ornamental tree in parks, streetscapes, and large gardens due to its showy blooms and seasonal interest. Its dense, durable wood is also highly valued for construction, decking, and outdoor furniture.

Risks & Threats:
Yellow ipe is considered a low-risk species in Hawaii and is not known to be invasive. It does not typically spread aggressively or naturalize in unmanaged areas, and its reproduction is generally limited to cultivated settings. While seeds are wind-dispersed, there is little evidence that this leads to widespread establishment outside of planted landscapes. As with many ornamental trees, occasional seedlings may appear nearby, but these are not known to form persistent or problematic populations. Overall, Handroanthus serratifolius poses minimal ecological threat, making it a suitable choice for landscaping when properly managed.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m
  
• Naturalized in Puerto Rico
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms pure stands in some areas
  
• Produces wind-dispersed seeds
  
• Able to resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• One record of naturalization, but no reports of invasiveness worldwide
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Requires full sun
  
• Self-incompatible
  
• Wind-dispersed seeds relatively large, and unlikely to be accidentally dispersed
  
• Seeds lose viability rapidly