Family: Chrysobalanaceae

Chrysobalanus icaco, commonly known as coco plum, is a dense, bushy evergreen shrub or small tree native to coastal regions of Florida, the Caribbean, and tropical parts of Africa and the Americas. It produces dense, glossy green foliage and small, white to pinkish flowers, followed by round, plum-like fruits that turn red, purple, or black when ripe. The fruits are edible and slightly sweet, often eaten fresh or made into jams, jellies, and preserves. Cocoplum is commonly used in landscaping as a hedge or ornamental plant because of its tolerance for coastal conditions, salt spray, and sandy soils. Its ability to grow in a variety of environments makes it a popular choice for gardens and restoration projects.

On Oʻahu, cocoplum has become naturalized in some coastal areas. While it is valued for its edible fruit and landscape uses, it does possess traits that could allow it to spread beyond cultivated areas, potentially crowding out native plants. Its dense growth and prolific fruiting mean that birds and other wildlife can disperse seeds into natural habitats, where it may compete with native species. Gardeners should consider these risks and choose low-risk or native alternatives for planting near sensitive ecosystems, especially in coastal and dry forest areas.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized and invasive outside its native range, including Hawaiʻi, Fiji, Seychelles, Society Islands, and parts of Africa and Southeast Asia
  
• Documented environmental weed with negative impacts on native ecosystems in island settings
  
• Forms dense thickets that exclude native vegetation and inhibit forest regeneration
  
• Broad environmental tolerance, including a wide range of soils (sandy, limestone, organic, poorly drained to well-drained)
  
• Adapted to tropical and subtropical climates, matching Hawaiʻi’s conditions
  
• Multiple reproductive strategies, including viable seed production and vegetative reproduction
  
• Self-compatible, allowing reproduction without specialized pollinators
  
• Effective long-distance dispersal, with fruits spread by birds, bats, water, animals, and people
  
• Fire risk potential, as dense, dry thickets can increase fuel loads in invaded habitats
  
• Difficult to control once established, with resistance reported to some herbicides

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not allelopathic, parasitic, or toxic to humans
  
• Edible fruit and seeds, traditionally used for food and preserves
  
• No evidence of prolific seed production (does not produce extremely high seed densities)
  
• No known persistent seed bank (long-term soil seed longevity not demonstrated)