Family: Myrtaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Naturalized in regions with tropical climates
- Naturalized on Oahu, (Hawaiian Islands), escaped in New Zealand
- An environmental weed on Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, and targeted for control
- Other Leptospermum species are invasive
- May be unpalatable relative to other plants
- Tolerates many soil types
- Forms dense stands
- Reproduces by seeds
- Hybridizes with other Leptospermum species
- Possibly self-compatible
- Seeds dispersed by wind, water and intentionally by people
- Prolific seed production (numbers unknown)
- Seeds form a persistent canopy seed bank
- Able to resprout from lignotuber after cutting or fire
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Ornamental
- Grows best in full sun (may limit spread into densely shaded forest understory)
- Not reported to spread vegetatively