Family: Malvaceae
Heliocarpus donnellsmithii, (majagua, jolocin) is a tropical tree native to Central America. Revered for its wound-healing properties in traditional folk medicine, it also addresses spasms and contractions. Beyond medicinal use, this versatile tree serves as a shade provider in coffee plantations and contributes to honey production. Its lightweight wood and robust fiber make it valuable for crafting fences, house poles, furniture, and various items in Mexico. The inner bark is a key source of fiber for ropes, cords, mats, woven bags, hanging baskets, traditional baskets (huacales), and traditional paper (papel amate). While reported to be naturalized in Martinique, French Antilles, there is currently no documented naturalization on any Hawaiian Islands, but its prolific seed production, adaptability to tropical climates, and rapid growth raise concerns about its potential invasiveness
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives, and can spread, in regions with tropical climates
- Reported to be naturalized in Martinique (but not reported in the Hawaiian Islands to date)
- A fast-growing pioneer tree that quickly establishes and can modify natural succession patterns
- Other Heliocarpus species are invasive
- Reported to form dense stands in Martinique that may compete with and exclude other vegetation
- Tolerates many soil types
- Reproduces by prolific seed production
- Fast-growing
- Seeds dispersed by wind, gravity, and possibly other means
- Seeds may persist in the seed bank for over one year
Low Risk Traits:
- Limited evidence of introduction outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Seedlings establish in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit ability to spread)
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
