Family: Proteaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Grows in maritime, Mediterranean climates
- Reported to be naturalized and/or a weed but evidence is inconclusive
- From fire-prone ecosystem. May increase fire risk in introduced range.
- Forms dense stands in native range
- Reproduces by seeds
- Hybridizes with other Protea species
- May reach reproductive maturity in as little as 2 years (more commonly mature at 5 years)
- Seeds dispersed by wind and intentionally by people
- Serotinous seeds form a persistent canopy seed bank
- Tolerates regular pruning
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Ornamental
- Self-incompatible
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Relatively large, serotinous seeds unlikely to be inadvertently dispersed