Family: Rubiaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives and could potentially spread in regions with tropical climates
- Tolerates many soil types
- Forms pure stands in native range
- Reproduces by prolific seed production
- Seeds dispersed by wind, water and intentional cultivation
- Resprouts from roots and stems after repeated cutting
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of naturalization or invasiveness, but limited evidence of cultivation outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Palatable to browsing animals
- Non-toxic
- Grows best in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit spread)
- Reaches maturity in 6+ years (in cultivation)
- Seeds remain viable for 5 months (unlikely to form a persistent seed bank)