Family: Adoxaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability
  
• Able to grow in regions with temperate to tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands) and elsewhere
  
• Regarded as a garden and landscaping weed, and potential environmental weed
  
• Other Sambucus species are invasive
  
• Toxic to animals and people
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense thickets
  
• Reproduces by seed and vegetatively by root sprouts
  
• Reaches maturity in 2-4 years
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
  
• Seeds may form a persistent seed bank
  
• Able to coppice and resprout after cutting and fire

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable despite reports of toxicity
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control