Family: Passifloraceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Erblichia odorata, commonly known as butterfly tree, is a small to medium-sized tropical tree native to Central and South America. It is valued for its attractive, fragrant flowers, which are typically pale yellow to cream-colored and bloom in clusters that can attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees. The tree has a graceful form with broad leaves, making it an appealing ornamental species for gardens and landscapes in warm climates. In its native range, it is sometimes planted for shade and aesthetic purposes, and its showy blossoms contribute to its popularity among horticulturists.
Risks & Threats
Erblichia odorata is considered a low-risk species, with no significant evidence of invasiveness or harmful ecological impacts in regions where it has been introduced. It does not appear to spread aggressively or outcompete native vegetation, and its reproduction and dispersal are relatively limited. While continued observation is always recommended when introducing non-native plants, current information suggests that butterfly tree poses minimal threat to natural ecosystems, including those in Hawaiʻi.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability (native from 0–1300 m elevation in tropical regions)
- Well-suited to tropical climates
- Produces viable seed
- Self-compatible (capable of self-fertilization)
- Intentional dispersal as an ornamental
- Large tree, potentially high seed output
- May be dispersed by ants (family-level trait)
Low Risk Traits:
- No evidence of naturalization outside native range
- No history as a weed (garden, agricultural, or environmental)
- Very rare in cultivation; limited introduction history
- Free-standing tree; no spines, thorns, burrs, or smothering habit
- Does not form dense thickets
- Requires full sun (not shade tolerant)
- No evidence of vegetative reproduction
- Poor dispersal mechanisms: not adapted for wind, water, bird, or external animal dispersal; not a contaminant; does not survive gut passage
