Family: Vitaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Naturalized in several locations worldwide; adventive, and possibly naturalized, on Kauai and Hawaii islands
- Often described as weedy and potentially invasive in a number of locations, but these plants may actually be hybrids with wild grapes rather than cultivars used for fruit and wine production
- Other Vitis species are invasive
- Affected by a number of pests and pathogens that could impact commercially or environmentally important plants
- Tolerates many soil types
- Climbing and smothering growth habit
- Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by layering
- Hybridizes with other Vitis species
- Self-fertile
- Seeds dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals, and intentionally by people
Low Risk Traits:
- Cultivated grapes may be less weedy or aggressive than wild grapes or hybrids
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Palatable to browsing animals
- Non-toxic
- Seed set in cultivated grapes may be low, limiting ability for accidental or longer distance dispersal
- Herbicides may provide effective control if removal is required
