Family: Convolvulaceae

Argyreia nervosa (Hawaiian baby woodrose) is a fast-growing vine in the morning glory family, native to India. Despite its name, it is not native to Hawaiʻi. This climbing plant has large, heart-shaped leaves and produces clusters of showy lavender flowers. It’s often grown for its ornamental beauty and its striking foliage, which can quickly cover fences, trellises, and trees.

Although Hawaiian baby woodrose has the ability to spread and possesses traits common to invasive vines, it has not become a problem in the Hawaiian Islands to date. The plant can self-seed, and its seeds are known for their hallucinogenic properties, which has led to their use and occasional distribution. Continued monitoring is recommended, but for now, it remains a cultivated species without significant impact on Hawaiʻi’s natural areas.

High Risk Traits:

• Suited to tropical/subtropical climates
  
• History of introduction outside native range
  
• Naturalized in Australia and Hawaii
  
• Climbing/smothering growth habit
  
• Host for pests and pathogens
  
• Intentionally dispersed as an ornamental
  
• Can regrow from roots after damage

Low Risk Traits:

• Not a significant agricultural or environmental weed
  
• Not toxic to animals
  
• Not allelopathic or parasitic
  
• Requires full sun; not shade-tolerant
  
• Prefers specific moist, well-drained soils
  
• Low seed production
  
• No persistent seed bank
  
• Controllable with herbicides