Family: Euphorbiaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Grows in temperate and Mediterranean climates
  
• Naturalized in North America, and elsewhere, but no evidence in the Hawaiian Island to date
  
• A garden weed due to its ability to spread, and its toxic sap making removal hazardous
  
• A potential pasture weed that may reduce forage due to toxic properties
  
• An environmental weed in North America that competes with native and desirable vegetation
  
• Other Euphorbia species are invasive weeds
  
• Unpalatable to browsing and grazing animals (due to toxic sap)
  
• Sap toxic to humans and animals
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by root fragments
  
• Reaches maturity in two growing seasons (biennial)
  
• Seeds dispersed by explosive dehiscence, by mowing equipment, by water, possibly by birds, by ants, and through intentional cultivation
  
• Seeds may form a persistent seed bank (up to 8 years)
  
• Tolerates cutting and mowing (resprouts from roots)

Low Risk Traits:

• May only be invasive at cooler, higher elevations in tropical island ecosystems
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Grows best in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit spread)
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control