Family: Melastomataceae

High Risk Traits:

• Native to subtropical/tropical climates (Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay); high climate match for invasion
  
• Naturalized on multiple Hawaiian Islands: O'ahu, Moloka'i, Lāna'i, Maui, and Hawai'i
  
• Invasive in forests, pastures, and waterways
  
• Unpalatable to cattle
  
• Tolerates shade (germinates and grows in closed-canopy forests)
  
• Tolerates poor soils (volcanic lava flows)
  
• Forms dense, monotypic thickets >3 m tall
  
• Self-compatible; produces viable seeds
  
• Reproduces vegetatively (rhizomes, rooting at nodes)
  
• Flowers within first year
  
• Dispersed by humans (roads/trails), intentional planting (ornamental), birds, and other animals (gut passage)
  
• Prolific seed production; persistent seed bank (>1 yr)
  
• Cutting promotes spread (vegetative regrowth)

Low Risk Traits:

• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Non-toxic to animals and humans; no allergenic effects
  
• No allelopathic or parasitic behavior
  
• Not a fire hazard (prefers wet habitats)