Family: Lamiaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability (grown in temperate, Mediterranean, and tropical climates)
- Naturalized in Bulgaria, Crimea, Azores, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Bermuda, Texas, and Central Mexico (but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands)
- May be allelopathic
- Rarely eaten by browsing and grazing animals (generally unpalatable for much of the growing season)
- Generally non-toxic, but may cause contact dermatitis to some people
- Contains highly flammable oils and may increase fire risk in arid, and fire prone habitats
- Reproduces by prolific seed production
- Can hybridize with other Rosmarinus species
- Potentially self-compatible
- Reaches maturity in 2 years
- May be spread by vehicles in agricultural settings where the species is commercially grown
- Older plants seed prolifically
- Tolerates heavy pruning
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of negative impacts where cultivated
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic to animals
- Thrives in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit ability to spread)
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Lacks mechanisms for long-distance seed dispersal