Family: Myrtaceae

Kunzea ericifolia (spearwood, yellow kunzea) is an evergreen shrub native to western Australia. As the name spearwood suggests, the plants are used by the Aboriginal Noongar people in spear-making. It also has been grown as an ornamental, though it is not as popular as other species of Kunzea. It has possibly naturalized outside of its native range within Australia, but is not documented to be naturalized on any Hawaiian Islands to date. Other species in this genus are invasive. It is known to resprout after a fire, and has an ability to form dense stands, and spread by wind dispersed seeds. These qualities cause it to be placed in the evaluate category.

High Risk Traits:

• Possibly naturalized in Australia (outside natural range)
  
• Other species in genus are invasive
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense stands within native range
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, probably water, and intentionally by people
  
• May form a persistent, canopy stored (bradysporous) seed bank
  
• Resprouts after fire

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness, but limited evidence of introduction outside native range
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Reported to reach maturity in 5-6 years