Family: Urticaceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Pourouma cecropiifolia, commonly known as Amazon grape or sacha uvillas, is a fast-growing tropical fruit tree native to Honduras through tropical South America, especially throughout the Amazon Basin. It is a small to medium-sized tree with large, deeply lobed leaves and clusters of round purple fruits that resemble grapes. The sweet, juicy fruits are eaten fresh and are also used in juices, jams, and desserts in parts of its native range. This species is sometimes cultivated in tropical home gardens and agroforestry systems because of its attractive foliage, rapid growth, and edible fruit production.
Risks & Threats
This species is considered low risk for Hawaiʻi. While it is well adapted to humid tropical climates, there is little evidence that it spreads aggressively or causes ecological harm outside cultivation. Its fruits may occasionally attract birds or other animals, but the tree has not shown strong invasive tendencies in tropical island ecosystems. As with many fruit trees, responsible cultivation and proper disposal of plant material can help minimize any potential for unintended spread.
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Possibly naturalizing on Oahu, Hawaiian Islands (confirmation needed)
- Latex highly caustic to the skin, possibly poisonous if ingested
- Tolerates many soil types
- Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
- Seeds able to be stored for extended periods; May form a persistent seed bank
- Able to coppice and resprout after cutting
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization (with the possible exception of Oahu(), but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Provides fodder for livestock (palatable despite reports of toxicity)
- Ornamental
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Limited ecological information makes accurate risk prediction difficult
