Family: Acanthaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Megaskepasma erythrochlamys (red cloak or Brazilian red cloak) is a large tropical evergreen shrub native to Venezuela and Suriname. It is widely cultivated in warm climates for its dramatic floral display, featuring large crimson-red bracts surrounding white tubular flowers, along with broad dark green leaves. This striking ornamental plant is commonly used in tropical landscapes, botanical gardens, and shaded garden settings because of its bold appearance and long-lasting blooms. In Hawaiʻi, it has been cultivated as an ornamental and is now naturalized on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island, with reports suggesting it may also be naturalizing on Maui.

Risks & Threats
Red cloak possesses several traits associated with invasive plants in tropical environments. It is shade tolerant, adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, capable of reproducing by both seed and vegetative growth, and tolerant of heavy pruning. These characteristics may allow it to spread beyond cultivation into disturbed areas and forested habitats. Because this species is naturalized in parts of Hawaiʻi and demonstrates traits linked to invasiveness, it is considered a high-risk species with the potential to detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems by competing with native vegetation and altering understory plant communities. Although valued as an ornamental, caution is recommended when planting this species, and low risk or native alternatives should be considered when suitable options are available.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized on Oahu, Kauai, Hawaii Island, and the Mascarene Islands
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Exhibits environmental versatility (elevation range exceeds 1000 m)
  
• Host of ornamental pests
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
  
• Reproduces vegetatively and by seed
  
• Seeds. When produced, dehisced and dispersed short distances by wind, gravity and possibly water
  
• Tolerates heavy pruning

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value
  
• May require specialized pollinators (hummingbirds, long-tongued moths) to set seed
  
• Seed set may be limited in cultivation