Family: Melastomataceae

High Risk Traits:

• High tropical/subtropical climate suitability
  
• Naturalized in Hawaii and New Zealand
  
• Naturalized on Kauaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi; extirpated on Oʻahu
  
• Widely introduced and cultivated outside native range
  
• Forms dense, environmental weed thickets in wet Hawaiian habitats
  
• Congeneric species are noxious weeds
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Spreads vegetatively via rooting branches
  
• Dispersed via garden debris and intentional human planting
  
• Tolerates pruning and regrows after damage
  
• Requires herbicides for effective control

Low Risk Traits:

• Non-toxic
  
• Lacks spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not allelopathic, parasitic, or fire-promoting
  
• No viable seed production in cultivated populations
  
• Not prolific seeder
  
• Not dispersed by wind, birds, animals, or gut passage