Family: Solanaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalize on Oahu, Lanai, Maui, Kahoolawe, Molokai, and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands) and widely naturalized elsewhere
  
• Regarded as an environmental weed (but primarily a weed of disturbed sites in Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Toxic to animals and people
  
• Unpalatable to animals
  
• Host of plant pathogens
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense stands
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Reaches maturity in 1 year
  
• Seeds dispersed by water, facilitated by wind and animals and intentionally by people
  
• Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)
  
• Resprouts after cutting and fire
  
• No effective natural enemies present in Hawaiian Islands

Low Risk Traits:

• Primarily a weed of disturbed habitats in Hawaiian Islands
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Importance alternate host for the endangered Blackburn’s sphinx moth (Manduca blackburni)
  
• Ornamental uses
  
• Restricted to sunny, high light environments
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Herbicides provide effective control