Family: Fabaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Dalbergia sissoo, commonly known as Indian rosewood or North Indian rosewood, is a fast-growing, deciduous tree native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of southern Asia. It typically reaches 40–80 feet in height and has a broad, spreading canopy with compound leaves and small, pale pink to white flowers. The tree is highly valued for its durable, richly colored hardwood, which is widely used in fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, musical instruments, and carving. It is also planted as a shade tree, windbreak, and for erosion control because of its rapid growth and tolerance of a range of soil conditions.

Risks & Threats
Although Dalbergia sissoo is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses several traits that raise concern for tropical island ecosystems. It grows quickly, produces abundant seed, and can spread along waterways and disturbed sites. In suitable climates, it has shown the ability to form dense stands that may outcompete native vegetation. Its vigorous root system can also be invasive in urban settings, potentially damaging infrastructure. Given these characteristics, there is a risk that it could become invasive and negatively impact Hawaii’s native forests and riparian habitats if introduced more widely. For these reasons, Plant Pono recommends choosing a low-risk or native alternative better suited to protecting Hawaii’s unique and fragile ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized & Invasive: Documented as naturalized and becoming invasive in Florida.
  
• Weed of Managed Lands: Listed as a noxious weed in Australia's Northern Territory, where it can form thickets that reduce grazing land.
  
• Environmental Weed: Invades and crowds out native plants in habitats like Florida pine rocklands.
  
• Environmentally Versatile: Tolerates a wide range of temperatures, precipitation, elevations, and well-drained soils.
  
• Vegetative Spread: Spreads vigorously via root suckers, enabling it to form dense thickets.
  
• Resilient to Cutting: Coppices vigorously and withstands repeated lopping.
  
• Nitrogen-Fixing: Can alter soil conditions, gaining a competitive edge.
  
• Wind-Dispersed Seeds: Adapted for wind dispersal, aiding landscape-level spread.
  
• Pest/Disease Host: Host to numerous insect pests and fungal pathogens.

Low Risk Traits:

• Shade Intolerant: Requires high light, limiting establishment in dense, undisturbed forests.
  
• Not Fire-Adapted: Susceptible to fire; not a fire hazard.
  
• Palatable: Leaves are used as fodder, and seedlings are damaged by livestock.
  
• Short-Lived Seed Bank: Seeds remain viable for only a few months in natural conditions.
  
• Chemically Controllable: Effective herbicide treatments are available.
  
• Non-Toxic: No evidence of toxicity to humans or animals.
  
• Large Seeds: Unlikely to be dispersed as a produce contaminant.