Family: Cucurbitaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Possibly naturalized, but distinction between native and cultivated range is unclear
  
• Other Momordica species are invasive
  
• Spiny fruit
  
• Seeds are reported to be toxic
  
• Climbing and -potentially smothering habit
  
• Reproduces by seeds and resprouts from tuberous roots
  
• Reaches maturity in approximately 2 months
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
  
• Potentially prolific seed production
  
• Seeds possess dormancy and could possibly form a seed bank
  
• Limited ecological information may limit accuracy of risk prediction

Low Risk Traits:

• No confirmed reports of invasiveness, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
  
• Edible fruit and leaves
  
• Dioecious (requiring both male and female plants for seed set)
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively