Family: Polygonaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on main Hawaiian Islands and Texas
  
• Regarded as invasive in Hawaiian Islands and elsewhere
  
• Other species may be invasive
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms pure stands in native range
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Hybridizes with other species
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, bats, lizards, turtles, water and intentionally by people
  
• Able resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Distribution generally limited to coastal areas and lower elevations
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Prefers full sun, but tolerates partial shade (may limit ability to invade shaded environments)
  
• Ornamental and medicinal uses
  
• Polygamous – dioecious (most plants dioecious, but limited numbers may be capable of selfing and low seed set)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Reaches maturity in 4-8 years
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control