Family: Elaeagnaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability in temperate regions
  
• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Naturalized in Ireland, and possible elsewhere (broad native range)
  
• Regarded as an environmental weed in Ireland (threatens dune diversity)
  
• Thorny
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense thickets
  
• Nitrogen fixing (alters soil nutrients)
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by suckers
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals, water and intentionally by people
  
• Seeds able to be stored for extended periods; may form a persistent seed bank
  
• Able to coppice and resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Natural populations do not occur where mean temperature exceeds 25°C (may limit ability to spread in tropical islands to higher elevations)
  
• Provides fodder for livestock
  
• Ornamental, medicinal and medical uses
  
• Values for soil stabilization and soil improvement
  
• Dioecious