Family: Asteraceae

An ornamental plant that escaped cultivation. It was first collected in 1910 by Joseph Rock. On Hawai’i Island, D. odorata is especially problematic in mamane-koa dry forests.  This aggressive vine smothers vegetation preventing more desirable species from germinating. It is naturalized on Maui and Hawai’i Island, present on Lana’i, native to South Africa. The Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources has designated this species as one of “Hawaiʻi’s Most Invasive Horticultural Plants.”

Description and Dispersal:

• A fleshy vine, woody at stem base, grows up to 20 ft long
  
• Leaves (4 in long by 2.5 in wide) are deeply indented at base and slightly lobed with 3-10 lobes
  
• Yellow flowers grow in dense clusters at end of the vines; many tiny white seeds form thistle balls similar to a dandelion
  
• Many tiny seeds are spread by the wind, also spreads vegetatively

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized elsewhere: Hawaii, California, Australia
  
• Environmental weed: Invades forests and coastal areas
  
• Toxic: Poisonous to mammals and aquatic life
  
• Smothering growth: Vine smothers native vegetation
  
• Vegetative spread: Spreads via stolons and stem fragments
  
• Wind-dispersed seeds: Aids long-distance spread
  
• Ornamental cultivation: Increases introduction risk
  
• Tolerates mutilation: Stem fragments resprout easily
  
• Rhizomes: Stores energy below ground
  
• Climate versatile: Grows in dry, moist, and coastal habitats

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not parasitic or allelopathic
  
• Low fire risk (semi-succulent leaves)
  
• Not bird- or water-dispersed
  
• Responds to persistent herbicide control