Family: Bignoniaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Tabebuia heterophylla, commonly known as pink trumpet tree, is native to the Caribbean, where it grows in a variety of habitats ranging from dry forests to coastal areas. It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree prized for its spectacular display of pink to lavender trumpet-shaped flowers that often appear when the tree is leafless. Its variable leaf shape, attractive form, and tolerance of drought, wind, and poor soils have made it a popular ornamental tree in tropical and subtropical landscapes, including Hawaiʻi.

Risks & Threats:
Tabebuia heterophylla is naturalized on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island, demonstrating its ability to establish outside cultivation. While it is not currently considered among Hawaiʻi’s most damaging invasive trees, it possesses traits that are cause for concern, including the production of numerous wind-dispersed seeds and the ability to colonize disturbed areas. Ongoing evaluation is needed to determine whether it could become more invasive under changing environmental conditions. Caution is recommended when planting this species to help ensure that it does not negatively impact Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystems. Whenever possible, consider planting a low-risk or native tree instead.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands) and elsewhere
  
• Pioneer, weedy tree that can form pure stands in abandoned pastures
  
• Other Tabebuia species are invasive
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms pure stands on grasslands and degraded soils
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind and intentionally through cultivation
  
• Gaps in biological and ecological information may reduce accuracy or risk prediction

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite naturalization and invasiveness, valued as an ornamental and landscaping tree
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to goats and possibly other browsing animals
  
• Shade intolerant (may limit spread into intact forests or areas with dense vegetation)
  
• Reported to be self-incompatible
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively