Family: Celastraceae

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Oahu and Maui (Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Young trees have leaves with spiny margins (absent on older trees)
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Seeds dispersed by water, possibly frugivorous mammals and intentionally by people
  
• Gaps in biological information (compatibility, seed production and longevity, regenerative ability) limit accuracy of risk prediction
  
• Able to coppice and resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of negative impacts in Hawaiian Islands to date
  
• Non-toxic
  
• May be limited to full sun or high light environments
  
• Produces edible fruit
  
• Ornamental
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Cultivation away from water may limit dispersal ability