Family: Urticaceae

Cecropia peltata, commonly known as trumpet tree, is a fast-growing tropical tree native to Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of northern South America. It is easily recognized by its tall, slender trunk, large palm-like leaves with a silvery underside, and hollow stems that often house ants. Trumpet tree is commonly planted as an ornamental or shade tree and has also been used in agroforestry systems, traditional medicine, and ecological restoration in its native range because of its rapid growth and ability to colonize disturbed sites.

Despite its appealing appearance, trumpet tree poses significant risks outside its native range, including in Hawaiʻi. It spreads quickly by seed, thrives in disturbed and intact forests, and can form dense stands that outcompete native plants. Its rapid growth and ability to alter light availability can disrupt forest regeneration and native ecosystems. Cecropia peltata is considered invasive in many tropical regions, and planting or spreading it can contribute to habitat degradation and loss of native biodiversity. Safer, non-invasive alternatives are strongly recommended for landscaping and reforestation projects.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalization ability: Has naturalized in introduced regions (e.g., Africa, Tahiti).
  
• Broad climate suitability: Thrives in tropical/subtropical climates with wide rainfall tolerance.
  
• Weedy in disturbed areas: Colonizes disturbed sites, competes with native pioneers.
  
• Forms dense thickets: Can create monospecific stands, especially after disturbance.
  
• High seed production: Up to 1 million seeds per mature tree per year.
  
• Bird- and bat-dispersed seeds: Enhances spread in natural ecosystems.
  
• Tolerant of soil variety: Grows on a wide range of soil types (clay to sandy, acidic to neutral).
  
• Coppices freely after cutting: Can regrow vigorously after damage or removal.
  
• Congeneric weeds: Other Cecropia species are known invasives (e.g., C. obtusifolia in Hawaiʻi).

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines/thorns/toxicity: Not physically harmful to animals or humans.
  
• Not parasitic or allelopathic: No known chemical suppression of other plants.
  
• Not shade-tolerant: Requires high light, unlikely to invade intact forest understory.
  
• Dioecious and wind-pollinated: Requires both sexes for seed set, may limit reproduction in low-density populations.
  
• Short-lived seed bank: Seeds lose viability within months, reducing persistent soil seed bank.
  
• No vegetative spread: Reproduces only by seed, not by runners or fragments.