Family: Apocynaceae
Ceropegia woodii (chain of hearts, rosary vine) is an evergreen succulent trailing vine native to Africa. Ceropegia woodii is often grown as a decorative house plant in hanging baskets due to its unique appearance and easy-care nature. It produces small, tubular flowers that are usually pink or purple with a delicate, twisted shape. This plant is admired for its cascading growth habit and is appreciated by plant enthusiasts for its aesthetic appeal. It is a fragile plant, is non toxic, and without burns or spines. It requires shady areas with 3-4 hours indirect sunlight daily. This plant has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad elevation range (>1000 m) in tropical climates
- Grows and could potentially spread in regions with tropical climates
- Shade tolerant
- Climbing, and potentially smothering, growth habit
- Can regenerate from tuberous roots
- Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by stem cuttings or aerial tubers produced along the stems
- Seeds dispersed by wind and through intentional cultivation
Low Risk Traits:
- No confirmed reports of naturalization or invasiveness, but more commonly cultivated indoors as an ornamental
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Stems and tubers edible to animals and humans
- Non-toxic
- Specialized pollinator requirements may limit seed set and reduce risk of long distance, accidental dispersal
