Family: Bignoniaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Radermachera sinica (commonly known as China doll, emerald tree, or serpent tree) is a tropical evergreen tree or shrub native to the subtropical regions of southern China and Taiwan. It is widely valued as an ornamental plant both indoors and in gardens for its attractive, finely divided glossy green leaves and its occasional clusters of trumpet-shaped white to pale-yellow flowers. Because of its elegant foliage and manageable growth in containers, it is commonly used as a houseplant and landscape accent in warm climates.

Risks & Threats
This species is reported to be naturalized on the island of Oʻahu, indicating that it can persist and spread outside of cultivation in Hawaiʻi. Radermachera sinica produces wind-dispersed seeds and has demonstrated the ability to escape from planted settings, traits that can increase its potential to spread in suitable habitats. Although there are currently no documented negative ecological impacts in Hawaiʻi, its naturalization and reproductive traits are cause for concern. Ongoing evaluation is needed, and caution is recommended to ensure it does not become invasive or negatively affect Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystems over time.

High Risk Traits:

• Grows in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Oahu, Hawaiian Islands and in Florida
  
• Cited as an environmental weed (but no impacts specified)
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, possibly birds and intentionally by people
  
• Reaches maturity in 3+ years
  
• Limited ecological information limits accuracy of risk prediction

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Ornamental
  
• May have limited shade tolerance