Family: Bignoniaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Fernandoa adenophylla, commonly known as karenwood, is a tropical tree native to parts of Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand. It is a fast-growing, medium-sized deciduous tree valued for its attractive appearance, featuring compound leaves and showy, trumpet-shaped yellow flowers that bloom in clusters. Karenwood is often planted as an ornamental shade tree in warm climates due to its drought tolerance and seasonal floral display. Its wood is lightweight but useful for general construction, carving, and local uses, contributing to its popularity in agroforestry and rural landscapes.

Risks & Threats:
Karenwood 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 typically spread aggressively or outcompete native vegetation, and its reproduction appears manageable under most conditions. As with any introduced species, responsible planting and monitoring are recommended, particularly in sensitive ecosystems. However, overall, Fernandoa adenophylla is regarded as a suitable choice for landscaping when balanced with the use of native or non-invasive plants.

High Risk Traits:

• Tolerates wide range of soil conditions (including saline/alkaline)
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Reproduces via root suckers (vegetative fragmentation)
  
• Wind-dispersed seeds (winged)
  
• Bat-pollinated (specialist pollinator)
  
• Present in cultivation on Oahu, Hawaii

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of naturalization outside native range
  
• Not a weed (garden, agricultural, or environmental)
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• No bird or external animal dispersal
  
• Large pods/seeds – not unintentionally dispersed
  
• Not widely planted outside native range