Hawaii's Most Invasive Horticultural Plants

   
miconia
Miconia calvescens

(Photo credit: Betsy H. Gagne)

 

(Photo credit: ?Betsy H. Gagne)


Other names:velvet tree, purple plague
Description: Tree to 25' tall, with 12-36" dark green opposite leaves having purple undersides and three prominent parallel white veins on upper surfaces; upright terminal clusters of tan flowers, which develop into dark purple berries 1/8 - ¼" diameter.
Risk areas: Moist and wet forests from sea level to 5000 feet.
WARNING:This is perhaps the most dangerous plant to have ever been introduced to Hawaii. Based on its virtually complete take-over of Tahitian rainforests in the past 70 years, efforts to contain or eradicate this species have been undertaken for a number of years on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Big Island, with millions of dollars spent to date. Any sightings of this species anywhere in the state should be reported to DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

top  |  back  |  Horticultural Invasives home  |  DOFAW home  |  DLNR home  |  Privacy Policy  |  Questions/Comments