Family: Fabaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Australia
  
• Regarded as an environmental weed in Australia and Florida
  
• Other Bauhinia species have become invasive
  
• Possibly allelopathic
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by suckering
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Reaches maturity in 2-3 years
  
• Seeds dispersed by dehiscent pods and intentionally by people
  
• Seeds remain viable for 1-2 years (and capable of forming a seed bank)
  
• Able to coppice and resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness or naturalization in the Hawaiian Islands, despite use as an ornamental
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Provides fodder for livestock
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Herbicides reported to provide effective control