Family: Rhamnaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability (in temperate climates)
  
• Widely naturalized in North America
  
• An environmental weed that reduces native species richness
  
• Toxic to animals and accidental poisoning of people is possible
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense stands
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and other frugivorous animals
  
• Reaches maturity in 2 years
  
• Seeds may persist in soil for 2 or more years
  
• Able to coppice and resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Grows in temperate climates and may only be a threat to higher elevation in tropical islands
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Palatable to deer and other browsing animals (although toxic)
  
• Relatively Shade-intolerant
  
• Mostly self-incompatible (but not 100%)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively (but able to sucker or coppice prolifically if cut)
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control