Family: Fabaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Oahu and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands); widely introduced and naturalized elsewhere
  
• A weedy vine that may negatively affect agriculture (but valued as a cover crop under trees)
  
• Other Vigna species are invasive
  
• Shade-tolerant (could possibly invade intact forest)
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Smothering growth habit
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by rooting at nodes
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Able to reach maturity in 6 months
  
• Seeds dispersed by gravity, possibly by water and intentionally by people

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite reports of weediness, valued as a palatable livestock forage, or as a cover plant under plantation trees
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Provides fodder for livestock
  
• Seed production reported to be poor (could limit potential to spread)
  
• Certain herbicides may provide effective control