Family: Polygalaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, potentially demonstrating environmental versatility
- Able to grow in regions with temperate to subtropical climates
- Naturalized in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and California
- Considered an environmental weed in Australia
- Other Polygala species are invasive
- Host of cucumber mosaic virus
- Tolerates many soil types
- May increase fire risk in invaded range in Australia
- Forms dense stands reduce native species richness in Australia
- Reproduces by seeds
- Self-compatible
- Reaches maturity in 3 years
- Seeds dispersed by ants, wind, water, possibly birds, and intentionally planted
- Seeds may persist in the seed bank for 18 months
- Resprouts readily after cutting to base
Low Risk Traits:
- Grows best in temperate and Mediterranean climates (may limit spread to higher elevations of regions with tropical climates)
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Ornamental
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Herbicides may provide effective control