Family: Proteaceae
Aulax umbellata is a (broad-leaf featherbush) native to the Western Cape of South Africa. It is used as a garden plant in its native range. The female flowerheads can be dried and used as decorative woody stars. It is also used as a source of food for livestock. Aulax umbelllata is assessed as “near threatened” on the Red List of South African plants. Its wild population has declined by 30% over the past 40 years. This is due to habitat degradation and loss. The primary causes of this are increased spread of invasive alien plants, increased farming and urban development. This population decrease is suspected to continue in the future. This plant has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date.
High Risk Traits:
- Occurs in fire prone ecosystems; could contribute to fuel load in dry environments
- Forms dense stands in native range
- Reproduces by wind-dispersed seeds
- Viable seeds retained on plants for 2+ year, until release triggered by fires (serotiny)
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but limited evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Requires full sun (shade may limit ability to spread)
- Dioecious
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Serotinous seeds limit ability for accidental dispersal, unless fires trigger release
