Family: Aquifoliaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability
- Grows, and able to naturalize in, regions with subtropical climates
- Naturalized on Maui and Hawaii islands, and elsewhere
- An environmental weed, forming dense stands that outcompete native vegetation
- Other species may be weedy
- Spinose leaf margins
- Berries mildly toxic to animals and people
- Shade tolerant
- Tolerates many soil types
- Forms dense thickets
- Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by suckering
- Seeds dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals, and intentionally by people
- Prolific seed production in larger trees
- Seeds form a persistent seed bank (up to three years)
- Resprouts and coppices after cutting and fires
Low Risk Traits:
- Palatable foliage
- Dioecious (and not self-compatible)
- Reaches maturity in 5-12 years
- Herbicides may provide effective control