Family: Lamiaceae
Clerodendrum laevifolium (clerodendrum, chui mo li) is an evergreen shrub native to parts of Asia. It is valued for its attractive, glossy green leaves and clusters of fragrant, tubular flowers that can add visual and aromatic appeal to gardens and landscapes. Often grown as an ornamental plant, it is appreciated for its aesthetic qualities and can be used in decorative hedges or as a feature plant in tropical and subtropical gardens.
While it’s not known to be naturalized in Hawaii, this plant grows quickly and produces many seeds—traits that could make it a risk to native ecosystems. Plant with caution, and be aware that further study is needed to ensure it won’t harm Hawaii’s unique environment.
High Risk Traits:
- Climate Versatility: Highly suited to tropical/subtropical climates and demonstrates broad environmental suitability.
- Widespread Cultivation: History of repeated introductions and is widely cultivated outside its native range.
- Invasive Relatives: Other species in the same genus, such as Clerodendrum bungei, are documented as invasive.
- Soil Adaptability: Tolerates a variety of soil types and pH levels, ranging from acidic to alkaline.
- Reproductive Success: Produces viable seeds and can reproduce vegetatively through suckers.
- Animal-Mediated Dispersal: Produces black drupes that are bird-dispersed and can survive passage through the gut.
Low Risk Traits:
- No Current Weedy History: No documented evidence of naturalization beyond its native range or being a garden, agricultural, or environmental weed.
- Safe Morphology: Lacks spines, thorns, or burrs and does not have a climbing or smothering growth habit.
- Non-Hazardous: No evidence of human toxicity and does not pose a fire hazard in natural ecosystems.
- Limited Dispersal Mechanisms: Seeds are not adapted for wind dispersal and are unlikely to be spread via produce contamination.
- Pest Resistance: Generally resistant to pests and pathogens
