Family: Urticaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Pouzolzia zeylanica, commonly known as graceful Pouzolz’s-bush or wu shui ge, is a small shrub or herbaceous plant native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia through northern Australia. It is typically found in warm, humid environments and produces slender stems with soft green leaves and small inconspicuous flowers. In parts of its native range, the plant has been used in traditional medicine and occasionally as a minor ornamental or groundcover species due to its hardy nature and adaptability to disturbed sites.

Risks & Threats
Although Pouzolzia zeylanica is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses several traits associated with invasive plant species, including rapid growth, tolerance of disturbed habitats, and the ability to spread in favorable tropical conditions. These characteristics raise concerns that it could compete with native vegetation and contribute to ecological disruption in sensitive island ecosystems. Because tropical islands like Hawaiʻi are especially vulnerable to invasive species impacts, caution is warranted when considering this plant for cultivation. Whenever possible, Plant Pono recommends choosing low-risk or native alternatives that provide similar benefits without the potential environmental threat.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Grows in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in Florida and possibly elsewhere. No evidence in Hawaiian Islands to date
  
• A disturbance-adapted weed that may impact agriculture
  
• Other Pouzolzia species are weeds
  
• Reproduces by seeds and resprouts from tuberous roots (functional geophyte)
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, as a contaminant, and possibly cultivated by people
  
• Able to coppice and resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite weediness, also valued for edible and medicinal uses
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Provides fodder for livestock
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control