Family: Fabaceae

Archidendron clypearia, commonly known as archidendron, is a medium to large tree native to tropical and subtropical Asia, including India, southern China, and parts of Southeast Asia. It belongs to the legume family (Fabaceae) and is characterized by its bipinnate leaves, fragrant cream to yellow flowers, and distinctive flattened seed pods. The tree is often found in moist forests and along streambanks, where it contributes to the canopy layer. In cultivation, it is valued for its attractive foliage, shade, and soil-enriching properties due to nitrogen fixation.

Although Archidendron clypearia is not known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it possesses several traits that could allow it to spread and establish in tropical environments. These include rapid growth, tolerance to a range of soil conditions, and the ability to reproduce by seed. Because of these characteristics, further evaluation is needed to determine whether this species could escape cultivation and impact Hawaiʻi’s natural areas. Until more information is available, planting should be approached with caution.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad tropical/subtropical climate suitability
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Nitrogen-fixing woody plant
  
• Bird-dispersed seeds
  
• Tolerates mutilation (coppices)
  
• Produces viable seeds

Low Risk Traits:

• No documented invasiveness or weediness
  
• Not known to be toxic or allelopathic
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• No fire hazard
  
• No vegetative reproduction
  
• Short-lived seed bank (recalcitrant seeds)