Family: Anacardiaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Spondias dulcis (ambarella, June plum, golden apple) is a tropical fruit tree native to eastern Malesia and the Santa Cruz Islands in the southwest Pacific. It is a fast-growing deciduous to semi-evergreen tree that can reach 30–60 feet (9–18 m) tall, with a broad crown and clusters of oval fruits that ripen from green to yellow-gold. The crisp, juicy fruits are eaten fresh, pickled, juiced, or used in jams, sauces, and desserts. The tree is widely cultivated throughout the tropics as a fruit crop and shade tree and is valued for its productivity, attractive foliage, and adaptability to a range of growing conditions.

Risks & Threats
Spondias dulcis is considered a low-risk species for Hawaiʻi. While it is commonly cultivated and can reproduce from seed, it has not demonstrated the aggressive invasive behavior seen in many other tropical fruit trees. Seed dispersal by people and animals may occasionally result in volunteer seedlings near cultivated areas, but the species generally remains associated with managed landscapes and does not readily invade intact natural ecosystems. As with any non-native plant, monitoring is prudent, but current evidence suggests that Spondias dulcis poses little threat to Hawaiʻi’s native habitats when grown responsibly.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad tropical/subtropical climate suitability (zones 10B–11; up to 700 m altitude)
  
• Repeated introductions outside native range (Asia, Pacific, introduced to Americas, India, Australia)
  
• Congeneric weeds exist (S. mombin, S. lutea)
  
• Host for multiple fungal pathogens, fruit flies, and mango diseases
  
• Tolerates wide range of soils (including limestone)
  
• Produces viable seed; germinates readily (~4 weeks)
  
• Intentionally spread by people (ornamental, edible fruit)

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of naturalization, or weed status
  
• Lacks spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Palatable to livestock and humans; no toxicity reported
  
• Not shade tolerant (prefers full sun)
  
• No natural vegetative reproduction; relies on seed
  
• Limited unintentional dispersal (no attachments; large seeds)
  
• Not wind- or water-dispersed
  
• Low seed output (1–5 seeds per fruit)