Family: Malvaceae
Abutilon grandifolium (hairy abutilon) is a large shrub native to South America. This plantʻs bark contains a fiber that can be used for cordage. It is very durable and also used for paper and matting. Abutilon grandifolium has many medicinal properties, used both in traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals. It has become naturalized in Australia, the Canary Islands, all the main Hawaiian Islands and Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll). This plant is an alternative host of rusts of ʻIlima (Sida fallax) , an important lei plant in the Hawaiian Islands. It is a weed of waste areas, disturbed sites, roadsides and drains, but can also grow occasionally in disturbed and undisturbed natural ecosystems (e.g. tall shrublands, grasslands and riparian areas). It has prolific seed reproduction, allowing it to spread quickly. This plant is also considered invasive in Micronesia, Portugal, South Africa and parts of Australia.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Naturalized on all the main Hawaiian Islands, and naturalized elsewhere
- A disturbance-adapted weed
- A potential environmental weed in Australia
- Other Abutilon species have become invasive
- Alternative host of rusts of Sida fallax, an important lei plant in the Hawaiian Islands
- Produces seeds that may be intentionally or unintentionally dispersed, but that otherwise lack mechanisms for long distance dispersal
- Able to reach maturity in <1 year
- Able to resprout after cutting
Low Risk Traits:
- A widespread weed, but impacts to natural environment either minimal or unspecified
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Used as a fiber plants in some parts of the world, and as a possible lei plant in the Hawaiian Islands
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Herbicides may provide effective control
