Family: Polygonaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Naturalized outside native range, but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date
- Included in some weed lists in Australia, but no negative impacts have been described
- Other Persicaria (Polygonum) species have become invasive
- Reproduces vegetatively
- Able to reach maturity in one growing season (but limited to vegetative spread)
- Intentionally cultivated by people, and able to spread along watercourses
- Tolerates cutting
Low Risk Traits:
- Although listed as a weed in a few locations, there have been no negative impacts described
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Edible
- Fruit and seeds not produced in the Hawaiian Islands
- May be self-incompatible
- Lack of seed production minimizes risk of long distance dispersal
- Herbicides likely effective at control if needed