Family: Acanthaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Eranthemum pulchellum, commonly known as blue sage, is a tropical shrub native to parts of South and Southeast Asia, including India and surrounding regions. It is valued as an ornamental plant for its striking display of bright blue, tubular flowers that bloom seasonally and contrast יפה with its dark green foliage. Typically growing 3–6 feet tall, blue sage is often used in gardens, hedges, and landscape plantings in warm climates. It thrives in well-drained soils with partial to full sunlight and is appreciated for attracting pollinators such as butterflies.

Risks & Threats
Blue sage is considered a low-risk species and is not known to be invasive or naturalized in Hawaiʻi. It does not exhibit aggressive spreading behavior and is generally confined to cultivated areas. While it may occasionally spread vegetatively or through garden waste if improperly managed, there is little evidence to suggest it poses a significant threat to native ecosystems. As with any ornamental plant, responsible gardening practices—such as proper disposal of cuttings and monitoring for unintended spread—are recommended, but overall, Eranthemum pulchellum presents minimal ecological concern.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability: Tolerates USDA Zones 8b-10b and salt spray.
  
• Climate match: Native to India and naturalized in other tropical regions.
  
• History of introduction: Repeatedly introduced outside its native range (e.g., US, Australia).
  
• Naturalized elsewhere: Escaping cultivation in Jamaica and possibly Florida.
  
• Shade tolerant: Grows in full sun to full shade.
  
• Soil tolerant: Adaptable to sand, loam, clay, and acidic soils.
  
• Vegetative reproduction: Spreads via roots and sprouts.
  
• Intentional dispersal: Commonly cultivated as an ornamental.
  
• Resilient: Responds well to pruning and can resprout after frost or damage.

Low Risk Traits:

• Not a weed: No evidence of being agricultural, disturbance, or environmental weed.
  
• Non-toxic: No spines, burrs, or known toxicity to animals or humans.
  
• Growth habit: Non-climbing shrub; does not form dense thickets.
  
• Ecosystem fit: Not a fire hazard; not aquatic, a grass, or a geophyte.
  
• Limited seed dispersal: Seeds are ballistically dispersed; not adapted for wind, water, or animal dispersal.
  
• Low seed risk: Not a prolific seed producer; no evidence of a persistent seed bank.