Family: Primulaceae
Bonellia macrocarpa, commonly known as jacquinia or knock-me-back, is a small evergreen shrub or tree native to tropical regions of the Americas, from Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean. It typically grows with dense, leathery foliage and produces small, fragrant, tubular flowers followed by bright orange to red berries. Traditionally, parts of the plant have been used in folk medicine, and its attractive form and colorful fruit sometimes lead to its use as an ornamental species in warm climates.
In Hawai‘i, Bonellia macrocarpa is not widely cultivated, and there is limited information on its behavior outside of its native range. However, related species in the Bonellia/Jacquinia group have shown invasive tendencies elsewhere, and the plant’s fleshy, bird-dispersed fruits suggest it may have the potential to spread if introduced. Until more is known about its growth habits in Hawai‘i, caution is recommended, and it should be planted only with awareness of the possible risk of naturalization.
High Risk Traits:
- Grows in tropical climates
- Can grow in a range of environmental conditions
- Naturalizing in Florida
- Leaves with needle-sharp spines
- Shade-tolerant
- Tolerates many soil types
- Seeds dispersed by birds and other frugivorous animals
- Tolerates severe pruning
- Lack of biological and ecological information makes risk prediction difficult
Low Risk Traits:
- Used as a barrier plant and ornamental
