Family: Primulaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Myrsine africana, commonly known as cape myrtle or African boxwood, is a dense evergreen shrub or small tree native to a broad region stretching from the Azores and Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, China, and Taiwan. It is valued for its compact growth habit, small glossy leaves, and attractive red to purple berries that mature to black. Often used as a hedge, border plant, or topiary specimen, cape myrtle is well suited to formal gardens and landscapes. It tolerates pruning well and can grow in a variety of climates, making it a popular ornamental plant. In some regions, it has also been used in traditional medicine and for erosion control.

Risks & Threats
Myrsine africana is considered a low risk species for Hawaii. While it produces bird-dispersed berries and can spread locally under favorable conditions, it has not shown the aggressive invasive tendencies associated with high-risk ornamental shrubs. Its growth is generally manageable in cultivated settings, and there is little evidence that it poses a significant threat to native ecosystems or biodiversity in the Hawaiian Islands. As with any introduced plant, responsible planting and monitoring are recommended to help prevent unintended spread into natural areas.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability (tropical to temperate)
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Tolerates wide range of soil conditions
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Bird-dispersed fleshy fruits (seeds survive gut passage)
  
• Intentionally planted as ornamental/hedge
  
• Tolerates heavy pruning

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of naturalization or weediness
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not allelopathic, parasitic, toxic, or fire-prone
  
• Does not form dense thickets
  
• Dioecious (requires both sexes for seed)
  
• No vegetative fragmentation
  
• Low seed output (single-seeded fruits)
  
• No persistent seed bank (seeds germinate within a year)
  
• Slow to mature (flowers at ~4 years)
  
• Palatable to grazing animals