Family: Acanthaceae

Barleria repens (coral creeper, small bush violet) is an evergreen plant native to South Africa. It is commonly used as a bedding plant, a groundcover and for butterfly gardens.  It is reported to be naturalized in Queensland, New South Wales, Florida and the islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi and Lanaʻi. This plant colonizes large areas rapidly with its sprawling root system. It spreads vegetatively and forms dense thickets in Australia. Those factors, in addition to its shade tolerance, make for invasive qualities in this plant.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Lanai
  
• A disturbance and environmental weed
  
• Other Barleria species have become invasive
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Can climb into and possibly smother other vegetation
  
• Can form dense thickets (Australia)
  
• Seeds dispersed by explosive dehiscence of capsules, as well as secondarily by water, and possibly by attachment to people, animals or machinery
  
• Able to spread vegetatively by branches that root when touching the ground
  
• Can be spread by discarded garden clippings
  
• Able to resprout after cutting or hard pruning

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental