Family: Vitaceae

Cissus nodosa (grape ivy, Javanese treebine) is a fast-growing woody vine native to Southeast Asia and parts of the western Pacific. It is easily recognized by its climbing habit, long stems, and broad, glossy leaves, which give it a lush, tropical appearance. Like other grape relatives, it uses tendrils to climb trees, fences, and structures. Because of its vigorous growth and attractive foliage, grape ivy has been planted as an ornamental vine for shade, groundcover, or to quickly cover trellises and walls in tropical landscapes.

In Hawaiʻi, Cissus nodosa has escaped cultivation and is now naturalized on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island. Its rapid growth and ability to climb and smother vegetation allow it to overtop shrubs and trees, reducing light and stressing native plants. Once established, it can form dense tangles that are difficult to remove and can spread along forest edges and disturbed areas. Without management, grape ivy has the potential to degrade native habitats and increase long-term control costs, making it a concern for conservation areas and responsible landscaping in Hawaiʻi.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized beyond native range (Hawaii)
  
• Congeneric weed (other Cissus spp. invasive)
  
• Bird-dispersed seeds
  
• Seeds survive gut passage
  
• Climbing/smothering growth habit
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Tolerates wide soil range
  
• Geophytic (tuberous roots)

Low Risk Traits:

• Not agricultural/environmental weed
  
• No spines/thorns
  
• Not allelopathic/parasitic/toxic
  
• Low seed production (1–2 seeds/berry)
  
• Not wind-dispersed
  
• No known fire hazard
  
• No evidence of persistent seed bank