Family: Euphorbiaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Macaranga grandifolia (abing-abing, bing-abing, coraltree) is native to the Philippines and northern Sulawesi, where it grows in lowland and montane tropical forests. It is a fast-growing tree known for its striking, very large, deeply lobed leaves that can give it a bold, tropical appearance in landscapes. In its native range, it is often associated with disturbed forest areas and can establish quickly in open gaps. While not widely cultivated for timber, it is sometimes used in ornamental plantings and for reforestation or habitat restoration projects due to its rapid growth and ability to tolerate a range of conditions.

Risks & Threats
Although Macaranga grandifolia is not known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it does possess traits that are cause for concern, including fast growth, adaptability to disturbed habitats, and potential to spread in tropical environments. Species with these characteristics can sometimes become invasive outside their native range, particularly in island ecosystems where native plants may be more vulnerable to competition. Ongoing evaluation is needed to determine whether this species could negatively impact Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems. Until more is known, caution is recommended to ensure it does not escape cultivation or become a future management concern.

High Risk Traits:

• Able to grow in tropical climates
  
• Possibly naturalized (confirmation needed)
  
• Other Macaranga species are invasive
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
  
• Limited ecological information limits accuracy of risk prediction

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Ornamental
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Dioecious (requires male and female plants to reproduce)