Family: Apocynaceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Ochrosia elliptica (lady of the house, pokosola) is native to Queensland and the southwestern Pacific region. It is an attractive evergreen shrub or small tree that typically grows with a dense, upright form and glossy green leaves. The plant produces fragrant white flowers followed by striking bright red to orange paired fruits, which add to its ornamental appeal. It is commonly planted in tropical and subtropical landscapes as a hedge, screening plant, or accent species, valued for its tidy growth habit and showy fruit display.
Risks & Threats
Although Ochrosia elliptica is not known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it does possess traits that are cause for concern, and ongoing evaluation is needed to determine its potential impact. Like other members of the Apocynaceae family, it contains milky sap that may be toxic to people and animals if ingested. Its fleshy fruits are attractive to birds, which could potentially aid in seed dispersal into natural areas. In suitable tropical environments, these characteristics raise the possibility that it could spread beyond cultivation and affect native ecosystems, so caution is recommended to ensure it will not negatively impact Hawaiʻi.
High Risk Traits:
- Sparingly naturalized in Florida
- Potential weed of natural areas
- Poisonous fruit
- Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
- Seeds dispersed on ocean currents
- Many aspects of biology and ecology unknown
Low Risk Traits:
- Ornamental and medicinal value
- Fruits and seeds relatively large, and unlikely to be spread accidentally or by animals
- Herbicides effective at controlling plants
