Family: Zingiberaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Naturalized in Taiwan
- Other Alpinia species have become invasive weeds
- Reproduces by seeds (rarely) and rhizomes
- Self-compatible, but primarily outcrossing
- Reaches maturity rapidly (10-12 months) from rhizomes
- Seeds, if produced, likely dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
- May be able to resprout from cutting of rhizomes
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or negative impacts
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Edible and medicinal uses
- Pollinator limited (requires specialized bee pollination)
- Limited production of seed in cultivation minimizes risk of accidental or long-distance dispersal