Family: Rutaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Bergera koenigii (currybush, curry leaf, Indian bay) is native to a broad region spanning the Indian Subcontinent, southern China (including Yunnan and Guangdong), and parts of Southeast Asia such as Peninsular Malaysia (Langkawi) and southern Hainan. It is a small to medium evergreen tree or shrub valued for its highly aromatic leaves, which are widely used in South Asian cuisine. The leaves are a key ingredient in curries, soups, and spice blends, and are also used in traditional medicine and herbal preparations. The plant is also sometimes grown as an ornamental or culinary garden plant in tropical and subtropical regions due to its usefulness and fragrant foliage.

Risks & Threats
Bergera koenigii is naturalized on O‘ahu and has demonstrated the ability to persist outside of cultivation in Hawai‘i. While it is widely appreciated for culinary and cultural uses, it possesses traits that raise concern in tropical island ecosystems, including its capacity to reproduce and spread in suitable warm environments. Once established, it may compete with native vegetation in disturbed or semi-natural habitats, potentially contributing to shifts in plant community composition. Because island ecosystems are especially vulnerable to introduced species, its continued spread could have detrimental impacts over time. For this reason, planting is discouraged in natural areas, and selecting a low-risk or native alternative is recommended whenever suitable options are available.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in Australia, Fiji and possibly elsewhere
  
• Weedy in gardens and cultivated landscapes
  
• Other Murraya species have become invasiave
  
• Potentially allelopathic
  
• Seeds reported to be toxic
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds and root suckers
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
  
• Tolerates and resprouts after regular pruning

Low Risk Traits:

• Widely cultivated source of flavoring for curries and chutneys
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Palatable to grazing animals
  
• Ornamental
  
• Seeds reported to quickly lose viability
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control