Family: Araceae
High Risk Traits:
- Adapted to tropical climates
- Other Philodendron species are weedy
- Poisonous to animals and humans
- Epiphytic climber
- Shade-tolerant
- Seeds, if produced, may be bird-dispersed
- Spread intentionally by people
- Philodendron spp. can resprout after cutting and pruning
- Limited ecological information reduces accuracy of risk prediction
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Ornamental
- Seed production may be limited in cultivation (possibly due to pollinator limitations)
- Limited or absent seed production limits ability to spread
- Herbicides can effectively control Philodendron spp.