Family: Asteraceae

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized elsewhere: Hawaii, California, Australia
  
• Environmental weed: Invades forests and coastal areas
  
• Toxic: Poisonous to mammals and aquatic life
  
• Smothering growth: Vine smothers native vegetation
  
• Vegetative spread: Spreads via stolons and stem fragments
  
• Wind-dispersed seeds: Aids long-distance spread
  
• Ornamental cultivation: Increases introduction risk
  
• Tolerates mutilation: Stem fragments resprout easily
  
• Rhizomes: Stores energy below ground
  
• Climate versatile: Grows in dry, moist, and coastal habitats

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not parasitic or allelopathic
  
• Low fire risk (semi-succulent leaves)
  
• Not bird- or water-dispersed
  
• Responds to persistent herbicide control