Family: Thymelaeaceae
Aquilaria crassna (agarwood, eaglewood) is a large evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. It is critically endangered. This tree sometimes produces a resinous heartwood known as agarwood mostly from old and diseased trees, which is used in Southern Asian and Chinese traditional medicine. It is also made into incense which has been used ceremonially for thousands of years in Buddhism, Confucianism and Hinduism. Additionally, it is also used in perfumes and cosmetics in the Middle East. This plant has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates, and could potentially spread in regions with similar climates
- Seedlings are somewhat shade tolerant, but adult trees require higher light levels
- Reproduces by seeds
- Self-compatible, although seed set is very low from self-pollinated plants
- Seeds may be dispersed by wind, gravity, and possibly birds or other animals
- Mature trees capable of prolific seed production
- Able to coppice and resprout after cutting
Low Risk Traits:
- An endangered tree with no reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Palatable to browsing and grazing animals
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Reaches maturity in 6-8 years
- Seeds lose viability quickly; not known to form a persistent seed bank
