Family: Euphorbiaceae
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, commonly known as tree spinach or chaya, is a fast-growing perennial shrub native to Mexico and parts of Central America. It has large, palm-shaped green leaves and a shrubby, tree-like form that can reach several feet tall. Chaya is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions as a nutritious leafy vegetable; when properly cooked, its leaves are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals and are commonly used in soups, stews, and sautés. It is also valued as a living hedge, windbreak, or ornamental plant due to its dense growth and tolerance of poor soils and dry conditions.
Although this species is currently not known to be naturalized, it does possess traits that are cause for concern in tropical island environments. Chaya readily propagates from cuttings, grows vigorously, and can form dense growth that may outcompete native plants if it escapes cultivation. These characteristics, combined with its adaptability to a wide range of conditions, could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems. For these reasons, caution is advised, and choosing a low-risk or native alternative is recommended to help protect Hawaiʻi’s unique natural resources.
High Risk Traits:
- Naturalized outside native range
- Repeated human introductions
- Vegetative reproduction possible
- Produces viable seeds (wild types)
- Broad climate tolerance (tropical/subtropical)
- Tolerates poor soil, drought, and shade
- Tolerates pruning and disturbance
- Stinging hairs in wild forms
- Potential for unintentional human dispersal
Low Risk Traits:
- Not reported as a weed
- Low seed production in cultivated forms
- Does not form thickets or smother vegetation
- Not allelopathic, parasitic, or fire-prone
- Safe for livestock forage
- Limited natural seed dispersal
- Non-invasive growth habit
- Often seed-sterile in cultivation
- Easily controlled by pruning
- Valued and maintained as a crop
