Family: Pittosporaceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Pittosporum senacia, commonly known as bois carotte or joli coeur, is a small evergreen tree or shrub native to the islands of Mauritius and Réunion in the Indian Ocean. It is valued as an ornamental plant for its glossy foliage, dense branching habit, and attractive orange to yellow seed capsules that split open to reveal brightly colored sticky seeds. The species is sometimes planted in tropical and subtropical landscapes as a hedge, screen, or specimen tree due to its tolerance of coastal conditions and ability to grow in a variety of soils. In Hawaiʻi, it has been reported as potentially naturalizing on Oʻahu.
Risks & Threats
Pittosporum senacia is considered a high risk species because it possesses traits associated with invasive behavior in tropical environments. Its bird-dispersed seeds, adaptability, and ability to establish outside cultivation raise concerns about its potential spread into native and managed ecosystems. Although not yet widely naturalized across the Hawaiian Islands, its occurrence outside cultivation on Oʻahu suggests it may be capable of further expansion. If allowed to spread, it could compete with native vegetation and contribute to ecological disruption in sensitive tropical island habitats. Because this species is naturalized and possesses traits that are cause for concern, it could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems. When possible, choose a low risk or native alternative for landscaping and planting projects.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m
- Naturalizing on Oahu, Hawaiian Islands
- Other Pittosporum species have become invasive
- Shade-tolerant
- Produces fleshy fruits and seeds that are dispersed by birds and other frugivorous animals
- Lack of pertinent biological and ecological information makes accurate risk prediction difficult
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of naturalization or invasiveness elsewhere, but apparently not widely cultivated outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Ornamental and medicinal uses in native range
