Family: Euphorbiaceae
Hura crepitans (sandbox tree, possumwood) is an evergreen tree native to tropical North and South America, including parts of the Amazon rainforest. This tree has many uses. It has light enough wood that it is used by indigenous people to make canoes. It also makes fish poison, arrow poison, furniture, and decorative boxes to hold ink pens. The seeds contain a toxic oil that can be used to make biodiesel and soap. It is reported to be naturalized in Australia, Africa, and possibly elsewhere, but there is no evidence of naturalization in the Hawaiian Islands to date
This plant thrives in many environments, is resistant to fire and being cut back, and animals do not want to graze on it. It has thorns on its trunk and is toxic to animals and people, the sap may cause blistering and temporary blindness if it makes contact with the eyes. Therefore due to many issues it is considered a high risk plant.
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Naturalized in Australia, Africa, and possibly elsewhere (but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date)
- Regarded as invasive in Australia and Africa, potentially impacting native biodiversity
- Trunks covered with conical spines
- Unpalatable to animals
- Toxic to animals and people; Caustic sap may cause blistering and temporary blindness
- Shade tolerant
- Tolerates many soil types
- Capable of forming dense stands
- Reproduces by seeds dispersed by explosive dehiscence of fruit; seeds also moved by water
- Intentionally cultivated by people
- Tolerant of cutting and fire
Low Risk Traits:
- May take 4 or more years to reach maturity
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Relatively large seeds, while explosively dispersed up to 61 m from parent tree, are not likely to be dispersed longer distances without human assistance
