Family: Malpighiaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Unconfirmed reports of naturalization
- Allelopathic
- Medicinal properties (could be toxic if taken internally in incorrect doses)
- Shade-tolerant
- Smothering habit (sometimes killing supporting trees)
- Seeds, if produced, adapted for wind dispersal
- Able to regrow after repeated cutting
- Limited biological and ecological information makes accurate risk prediction difficult
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Requires specialized pollinators
- Limited seed production in cultivation makes inadvertent dispersal unlikely
- Seeds lose viability rapidly
