Family: Acanthaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Dicliptera raui (purple rice plant) is native to the Himalayan region through Bangladesh, where it grows in warm, humid environments as a herbaceous perennial. It is valued primarily as an ornamental plant for its attractive foliage and delicate, tubular purple flowers that can add color and texture to shaded garden settings. In its native range and in cultivation, it is sometimes used in landscaping or pollinator-friendly plantings due to its ability to attract insects such as butterflies and bees. It is generally a low-growing, spreading plant that can form loose patches in suitable conditions.

Risks & Threats:
Although Dicliptera raui is currently not known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it does possess traits that are cause for concern, including its ability to spread vegetatively and establish in warm, moist environments similar to those found in Hawaiʻi. In favorable conditions, it could potentially compete with native understory vegetation and alter habitat structure in tropical island ecosystems. As a precaution, care should be taken when considering its use in landscaping, and it is recommended to choose a low-risk or native alternative when such options are available to help protect Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Reported to be naturalized in Australia
  
• Reported as a weed of wheat in Nepal (impacts unspecified)
  
• Other Peristrophe species reported as weeds
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Seeds dispersed by explosive dehiscence & intentionally by people
  
• Limited ecological information reduces accuracy of risk predication

Low Risk Traits:

• No detailed descriptions of negative impacts
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic (Used to dye rice purple. Presumably safe for human consumption)