Family: Rutaceae
Ruta graveolens (common rue), is an aromatic, perennial herb or subshrub (woody-based) to 3 feet (1 m) high, native to Southeastern Europe. It is commonly cultivated in herb gardens in many parts of the world for its narcotic and medicinal properties and has become naturalized in several locations including the island of Maui, Hawaiian Islands. With its ability to self-seed, it can easily spread from cultivation, and may become weedy in some locations. Plants should be handled with care, as they can cause an allergic reaction, and severe dermatitis, when in contact with bare skin.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability (temperate to tropical)
- Naturalized on Maui (Hawaiian Islands), North America, Africa and possible elsewhere
- A disturbance and garden weed that competes with other vegetation for space, light, water and nutrients
- Unpalatable to deer and probably other browsing animals
- Toxic and allergenic to animals and people
- Contact with skin can cause skin irritation, blistering, and photodermatitis
- Tolerates many soil types
- Reproduces by seeds
- Self-compatible (capable of producing seeds through self-pollination)
- Seeds dispersed by gravity, as a crop contaminant, through intentional cultivation, and possibly by other means.
- Tolerates pruning, and may resprout if cut back
Low Risk Traits:
- Intentionally cultivated and regarded as desirable in herb gardens
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Grows best in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit spread)
