Family: Ehretiaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Ehretia microphylla, commonly known as fukien tea or Philippine tea, is a small, fast-growing shrub or tree native to Southeast Asia and the Philippines. It features dense, glossy green foliage and produces small white flowers that give way to tiny orange to red fruits. This species is often used in ornamental landscaping, bonsai cultivation, and as a decorative hedge or screen due to its compact size and attractive appearance. Its ease of growth and tolerance for a range of soil types make it popular in gardens and urban plantings.

Risks & Threats
Ehretia microphylla is naturalized on Kaua’i, O’ahu, Molokai, and Maui. It possesses traits such as rapid growth, high seed production, and the ability to thrive in disturbed areas, which allow it to outcompete native plants and alter natural habitats. This species can spread aggressively into forests, stream banks, and other sensitive ecosystems, potentially reducing biodiversity and impacting native wildlife. Because of its high-risk characteristics, it is recommended to avoid planting fukien tea in Hawai‘i and to instead choose a low-risk or native alternative that supports healthy island ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai, O'ahu, Molokai and Maui (Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Invasive in secondary vegetation on Hawaiian Islands (potential environmental weed)
  
• Other Ehretia species are regarded as invasive weeds
  
• Tolerates some shade
  
• Forms thickets in understory of other trees on Maui, Hawaiian Islands
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
  
• Tolerates heavy pruning (commonly used as a bonsai specimen)

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to deer in native range
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Used as an ornamental (bonsai) and tea substitute
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively