Family: Sapindaceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Paullinia cupana (guarana, sometimes called Brazilian cocoa) is native to southern tropical South America, especially the Amazon Basin. It is a climbing woody vine that produces small clusters of red fruit containing glossy black seeds. These seeds are well known for their high natural caffeine content and are traditionally used by Indigenous peoples of the Amazon as a stimulant and medicinal plant. Today, guarana is widely cultivated and commercially processed for use in energy drinks, teas, supplements, and flavorings due to its stimulating properties.
Risks & Threats
This species is considered low risk in Hawaiʻi and is not known to be naturalized in the wild. It does not currently show traits associated with aggressive spread or ecological harm in island ecosystems. While it can be cultivated as a specialty or ornamental crop, it is generally well managed and does not readily escape cultivation under local conditions. As with any non-native plant, careful monitoring is still recommended, but Paullinia cupana is not considered a significant threat to native Hawaiian ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Shade-tolerant
- Reproduces by seeds
- Can reach reproductive maturity in 18 months
- Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
Low Risk Traits:
- Domesticated in South America
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Seeds used commercially for beverages
- Allogamous (reproduces by cross-pollination)
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Seeds are recalcitrant and lose their viability in 72 hours under normal conditions
