Family: Apocynaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Broad range and climate suitability
- Thrives and could spread in regions with tropical climates
- Tolerates some shade (could possibly establish in forest understory)
- Reproduces by seeds
- Seeds dispersed by chimpanzees and monkeys in its native range, and intentionally cultivated by people
Low Risk Traits:
- Tabernaemontana Africana (samoan gardenia) is an evergreen perennial shrub with a maximum height of 6 meters. Tabernaemontana Africana is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes in regions with a suitable climate. The plant can be used to produce latex, soap and dye. Samoan gardenia has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date.
- No confirmed reports of naturalization or invasiveness (but sparingly cultivated outside native range)
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Fruits and seeds may be disperser limited outside native range, reducing risk of long distance or accidental dispersal
