Family: Menispermaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalizing on Oahu, (Hawaiian Islands)
  
• A weed of tea plantations in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and North India/Nepal and of citrus crops
  
• Other Stephania species are invasive
  
• Roots reported to be toxic
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by rooting at nodes or from stem fragments
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals and intentionally by people
  
• Resprouts after flooding damage or fire

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Leaves palatable to gibbons, deer and probably other browsing animals
  
• Dioecious (may limit ability to spread if only male or female plants are cultivated)