Family: Vitaceae
Cissus discolor, commonly known as rex begonia vine, is a tropical climbing plant in the grape family (Vitaceae) valued for its striking foliage. Native to Southeast Asia, it features slender, twining stems and velvety, heart-shaped leaves marked with silvery-green patterns and deep purple undersides. This dramatic contrast makes it a popular ornamental plant, especially in hanging baskets or trained on trellises in warm, frost-free environments. It is primarily grown for decorative purposes in homes and gardens, where its trailing habit adds a lush, tropical look.
Although Cissus discolor is not currently naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it does possess traits that are cause for concern. Its vigorous climbing growth, tolerance of warm and humid conditions, and ability to spread vegetatively suggest it could potentially escape cultivation. At this time, its impacts on Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems are unknown, and further evaluation is needed to determine whether it could pose risks to native plants or natural areas if it becomes more widely planted or established.
High Risk Traits:
- Climbing/smothering growth habit – Vine climbs to ~15 ft.
- Bird-dispersed fruits – Berries likely eaten and spread by birds.
- Shade tolerant – Grows in full shade to partial sun.
- Repeated introductions – Ornamentally planted in many tropical countries.
- Soil generalist – Tolerates loamy, sandy, clay, acidic, neutral, slightly alkaline soils.
- Geophytic storage – Tuberous base allows regrowth after dormancy.
- Congeneric weeds – Other Cissus species are agricultural weeds.
Low Risk Traits:
- Not naturalized
- No toxicity – Safe for humans and animals.
- No physical defenses – No spines/thorns/burrs.
- Not parasitic or allelopathic
- Low seed output – One-seeded fruit; not prolific.
- No unintentional dispersal – Not spread by traffic/water/contamination.
