Family: Acanthaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Can grow in temperate and tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands
  
• A serious weed problem in lowland orchards
  
• Other Dicliptera species are regarded as weeds
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Reproduces by seeds, which are dispersed by a dehiscent capsule and by adhering to animals with barbed papillae
  
• Self-compatible (with cleistogamous flowers)
  
• Annual or perennial (able to reach maturity in 1 year)
  
• Possibly tolerant of and able to resprout after mechanical damage

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• No reports of toxicity
  
• Inconspicuous flowers makes intentional planting and cultivation for ornamental purposes unlikely