Family: Aquifoliaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Grows in temperate and tropical climates
  
• Possibly naturalizing in Georgia (confirmation needed)
  
• Listed as a native weed in Japan (but no specific impacts described)
  
• Other Ilex species have become invasive
  
• Possibly unpalatable to animals
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
  
• May form a persistent seed bank
  
• Able to resprout after cutting to ground level

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Ornamental
  
• Dioecious trees (and therefore not self-fertile)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Slow growth rate and long time to maturity