Family: Rubiaceae
Starry gardenia is a small tree that grows up to 20 feet. Like other plants native to South Africa, G. thunbergia thrives in Hawaii. Creamy white flowers emit a pleasing scent. A beautiful tree whether in bloom or not, glossy green leaves nicely contrast white flowers. It is low maintenance and drops little to no rubbish.
Plant Uses:
- Container plant
- Fragrant
- Hedge
- Ornamental
- Privacy / screening
- Specimen
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers
High Risk Traits:
- Grows in tropical and subtropical climates (potential to spread in Hawaiian Islands)
- Environmentally versatile; tolerates wide range of soils, pH, and moisture
- History of repeated introductions outside native range
- Shade-tolerant (occurs in shady forest interior)
- Produces viable seeds
- Propagules dispersed intentionally by people
- Seeds survive passage through the gut (dispersed by large animals)
- Persistent propagules (fruits remain on plant for years)
Low Risk Traits:
- No evidence of naturalization outside native range
- Not reported as a weed (environmental, agricultural, or disturbance)
- No spines, thorns, or burrs
- Not toxic to animals or humans
- Does not form dense thickets
- Not wind-dispersed or water-dispersed
- Unlikely to be a produce contaminant
- Unlikely to produce prolific seed densities (>1000/m²)
- Self-incompatible, requiring cross-pollination
- Slow-growing; minimum generative time ~3 years
- Limited natural dispersal without large animal vectors
