Family: Asteraceae
High Risk Traits:
- Native to, and able to spread in, regions with tropical climates
- Naturalized in tropical regions (but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date)
- Reported to be a weed in a number of locations (but impacts are generally not specified)
- Other Tagetes species are invasive weeds
- Tolerates many soil types
- Reproduces by seeds (but may be rare in cultivation)
- May reach maturity in one growing season
- Seeds dispersed externally by animals and intentionally by people
- May resprout after cutting or damage
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Ornamental
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Limited seed production in cultivation may limit spread