Family: Moraceae

Dorstenia bahiens (mattress button plant) is a low-growing perennial herb native to Eastern Brazil. It is sometimes cultivated as a houseplant by plant collectors. The plant is known for its unique seed dispersal, shooting out seeds with an audible “pop”.  It is reported to be naturalized in India, but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date. No negative impacts to the environment have been reported with this species, however other species in the genus have become invasive, especially in greenhouses. The species is shade tolerant meaning it could survive on a forest floor and spreads by both seed and rhizome, posing some question of its risk level.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in India, but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date
  
• Reported to be possibly invasive, but no negative impacts have been described
  
• Other species in the genus have become invasive, particularly in greenhouses
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Reproduces by explosively dehisced seeds and vegetatively by rhizomes (for short distances)
  
• Genus reported to be autogamous, capable of producing seeds through self-pollination

Low Risk Traits:

• No negative impacts reported for this species
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)