Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Report on invasive species in Micronesia


Appendix 2

Table 1.  Species that are invasive elsewhere in similar ecosystems but are not known to be present in Micronesia
Table 2. 
Introduced species that are invasive elsewhere and are also invasive in Micronesia.
Table 3. 
Species that are not known to be particularly invasive elsewhere, but that have spread, appear to be spreading or are potentially invasive in Micronesia
Table 4. 
Species that are mentioned or listed as invasive or weedy elsewhere and are common or weedy in Micronesia
Table 5. 
Native and naturalized species that exhibit aggressive behavior


Table 1. Species that are invasive elsewhere in similar ecosystems but are not known to be present in Micronesia

Scientific Name Common Names Family Habit
Acacia longifolia English:  Sydney golden wattle, golden wattle, long-leaved wattle, long-leaved acacia, sallow wattle, coast wattle, golden rods Fabaceae tree
Acacia mearnsii English: black wattle; French: acacia noir Fabaceae tree
Acacia melanoxylon English: Australian blackwood, blackwood acacia Fabaceae tree
Acacia nilotica English:  prickly acacia, black thorn, Egyptian thorn, Nile acacia, algaroba, babul, gum arabic tree; French: acacia à gomme; Spanish: algarrobo; Other:  tiare (New Caledonia) Fabaceae tree
Acacia spp. English:  acacia Fabaceae shrubs/trees
Ageratina riparia English: spreading mistflower, creeping croftonweed, river eupatorium; Other: hamakua pamakani (Hawai‘i) Asteraceae shrub
Ailanthus altissima English:  tree of heaven, varnishtree Simaroubaceae tree
Albizia chinensis English: Chinese albizia, silktree Fabaceae tree
Alstonia macrophylla English: devil-tree Apocynaceae tree
Alternanthera philoxeroides English: alligator weed Amaranthaceae herb
Andropogon gayanus English:  gamba grass, tambuki grass Poaceae grass
Andropogon glomeratus English:  bush beardgrass, bushy bluestem Poaceae grass
Andropogon virginicus English: broomsedge, yellow bluestem, whisky grass Poaceae grass
Anredera cordifolia English: Madeira vine, mignonette vine, lamb's tails; Other:  ‘uala hupe (Hawai‘i); filikafa (Niue) Basellaceae vine
Anthoxanthum odoratum English:  sweet vernalgrass, spring grass Poaceae grass
Araujia sericifera English:  moth plant, moth catcher, white bladder flower Asclepiadaceae shrub
Ardisia crenata English:  hen's eyes, Hilo holly, coral berry, Australian holly, scratchthroat; French:  arbre à noël Myrsinaceae shrub
Ardisia elliptica English: shoebutton ardisia; Other: ati popa'a, atiu (French Polynesia) Myrsinaceae shrub
Argyreia nervosa English: elephant creeper, Hawaiian baby woodrose , silver morning glory, woolly morning glory; French: coup d'air, liane a minguet, liane d' argent Convolvulaceae vine
Arthrostemma ciliatum English: everblooming eavender Melastomataceae herb
Austroeupatorium inulaefolium   Asteraceae herb
Axonopus fissifolius English: caratao grass,  narrow-leaved carpetgrass Poaceae grass
Azolla pinnata English:  mosquito fern, ferny azolla, water velvet Azollaceae fern
Barleria lupulina English:  hophead, Philippine violet Acanthaceae shrub
Barleria prionitis English:  barleria, porcupine flower Acanthaceae shrub
Bauhinia variegata English:  orchid tree; mountain ebony, butterfly tree (Fiji); French: bois de boeuf, sabot boeuf, arbre de Saint-Thomas Fabaceae tree
Blainvillea gayana   Asteraceae herb
Bocconia frutescens English:  bocconia, plume-poppy, tree celandine, parrotweed Papaveraceae shrub
Brillantaisia lamium   Acanthaceae shrub
Buddleja davidii English:  orange eye, butterfly bush, summer lilac Scrophulariaceae shrub
Buddleja madagascariensis English: butterfly bush, smoke bush Scrophulariaceae shrub
Caesalpinia decapetala English:  cats claw, Mysore thorn, Mauritius thorn, wait-a-bit; French: bois sappan; Other:  puakelekino (Hawai'i) Fabaceae shrub
Calliandra calothyrsus English: powderpuff red calliandra; Other:  kaliana (Samoa) Fabaceae shrub
Calliandra surinamensis English: Surinamese stickpea Fabaceae tree
Callisia fragrans English:  fragrant inch plant, basketplant, spironema Commelinaceae herb
Calotropis procera English:  calotropis, rubber bush, apple of Sodom, mudar, madar, king’s crown, roostertree; French: arbre à soie Asclepiadaceae shrub/tree
Cardiospermum grandiflorum English: balloon vine; heart seed Sapindaceae vine
Carpobrotus edulis English:  ice plant, pigface, hottentot fig Aizoaceae succulent
Castilla elastica English:  Panama rubber tree, Mexican rubber tree, uletree; Other:  pulu mamoe (American Samoa) Moraceae tree
Casuarina glauca English:  swamp oak, saltmarsh ironwood, longleaf ironwood, gray sheoak Casuarinaceae tree
Cecropia obtusifolia English: trumpet tree, guarumo Cecropiaceae tree
Cecropia peltata English: trumpet tree; French:  parasolier, faux-ricin, pisse-roux, bois cannon Cecropiaceae tree
Cenchrus ciliaris English:  buffelgrass, African foxtail grass, anjan grass; French: cenchrus cilié Poaceae grass
Cestrum parqui English:  green cestrum, willow-leaved jessamine, Chilean cestrum, green poison-berry Solanaceae shrub
Chrysobalanus icaco English:  coco plum, icaco; French: icacier, icaquier, icaque, prune colon; Other: apolo (Fiji) Chrysobalanaceae shrub
Chrysophyllum oliviforme English:  satin leaf, wild star-apple, damson plum; Spanish: caimitillo Sapotaceae tree
Cinchona pubescens English:  quinine tree, red cinchona; French: quinquina rouge; Spanish: cascarilla Rubiaceae tree
Cinnamomum burmanni English:  padang cassia; French: cannelier de Malaisie Lauraceae tree
Cirsium vulgare English: spear thistle, Scotch thistle, bull thistle, black thistle, plume thistle; Other:  pua kali (Hawai'i) Asteraceae herb
Cissus nodosa English:  grape ivy Vitaceae liana
Citharexylum caudatum English: juniper berry Verbenaceae tree
Citharexylum spinosum English: fiddlewood; Other: masese (Fiji) Verbenaceae tree
Clausena excavata English: clausena Rutaceae tree
Clerodendrum japonicum English: glorybower Verbenaceae shrub
Conocarpus erectus English:  sea mulberry, buttonwood, button mangrove Combretaceae shrub/tree
Cordia curassavica English: black sage Boraginaceae shrub
Cordia glabra English: broad-leaved cordia Boraginaceae tree
Cortaderia jubata English:  jubata grass, Andean pampas grass, purple pampas grass Poaceae grass
Cortaderia selloana English:  pampas grass, silver pampas grass, Uruguayan pampas grass Poaceae grass
Corynocarpus laevigatus English: New Zealand laurel, karakara nut Corynocarpaceae tree
Cryptostegia madagascariensis English:  Madagascar rubbervine Asclepiadaceae vine
Cupaniopsis anacardioides English:  carrotwood, tuckeroo Sapindaceae tree
Cyathea cooperi English: Australian tree fern Cyatheaceae fern
Dalbergia sissoo English:  Indian dalbergia, Indian rosewood, sissoo, shisham; French: ébénier juane Fabaceae tree
Delairea odorata English: German ivy, Italian ivy, cape ivy Asteraceae vine
Derris malaccensis English: New Guinea creeper; Other:  ‘ava niukini (American Samoa); nduva, tuva, nduva ni niukini (Fiji); akau niukini (Niue); fue fa‘i ‘ava (Samoa); kava fisi (Tonga) Fabaceae vine
Desmodium nicaraguense Spanish: engorda-caballo, vara de arco, pie de paloma, vara larga, vara blanca, Juana de Arco, gutao, Juana Larga Fabaceae shrub
Dichrostachys cinerea English: aroma, Kalahari Christmas tree, Chinese lantern tree, sickle bush, marabou-thorn, marabú, Sen Domeng, Saint Domingue, acacia Saint Domingue Fabaceae shrub
Dillenia suffruticosa English: shrubby dillenia, shrubby simpoh Dilleniaceae shrub/tree
Echinochloa polystachya English: aleman grass, carib grass, creeping rivergrass Poaceae grass
Elaeagnus umbellata English:  autumn olive, oleaster, silverberry Elaeagnaceae shrub
Erigeron karvinskianus English: Mexican daisy, seaside daisy, daisy fleabane Asteraceae herb
Ficus altissima English:  lofty fig, false banyan, council tree Moraceae tree
Ficus benghalensis English:  banyan, Indian banyan, vada tree; French: figuier des pagodes Moraceae tree
Ficus macrophylla English:  Moreton Bay fig Moraceae tree
Ficus nota English:  tibig Moraceae tree
Flacourtia rukam English: Indian plum, Indian prune, governor's plum; French: prunier café, prunier de Chine, prunier malgache; Other: filimoto (Fiji, Futuna, Samoa and American Samoa, Tonga) Flacourtiaceae tree
Flemingia macrophylla     Fabaceae tree
Flindersia brayleyana English: Queensland maple, silkwood Rutaceae tree
Fraxinus uhdei English:  tropical ash, Mexican ash, shamel ash Oleaceae tree
Fuchsia boliviana English:  fuchsia, lady’s eardrops, earring flower Onagraceae tree
Fuchsia magellanica English: hardy fuchsia, earring flower; Other: kulapepeiao (Hawai'i) Onagraceae shrub
Fuchsia paniculata English:  fuchsia, lady’s eardrops Onagraceae shrub
Funtumia elastica English:  African rubber tree, silkrubber; French: arbre à caoutchouc; Other:  pulu vao (Samoa) Apocynaceae tree
Furcraea hexapetala English:  Cuban hemp, hemp; Other:  cubuya (Galapagos Islands) Agavaceae succulent
Gomphocarpus physocarpus English:  balloon plant, bladderbush Asclepiadaceae shrub
Grevillea banksii English: kahili flower, Banks grevillea; Other: ha‘iku, kahili (Hawai‘i); ‘oka pua ‘ula‘ula (Hawai‘i (Ni‘ihau)) Proteaceae tree
Grewia asiatica English: phalsa Tiliaceae tree
Gymnocoronis spilanthoides English: Senegal tea, temple plant Asteraceae herb
Haematoxylum campechianum English:  logwood, bloodwood tree, campeachy wood, campeche  Fabaceae tree
Harungana madagascariensis English: harungana Clusiaceae tree
Heliocarpus popayanensis English:  moho, white moho Tiliaceae tree
Heterocentron subtriplinervium English: pearl flower Melastomataceae herb
Hiptage benghalensis English: hiptage; French: liane de cerf Malpighiaceae shrub
Holcus lanatus English: common velvet grass, Yorkshire fog Poaceae grass
Hydrilla verticillata English: hydrilla, Florida elodea, water thyme Hydrocharitaceae herb
Hylocereus undatus English: night-blooming cereus, strawberry pear, red pitaya, dragon fruit, pitahaya; French: pitaya, pitahaya rouge; Spanish: flor de Caliz; Other: paniniokapunahou, papipi pua (Hawai'i) Cactaceae succulent
Hymenachne amplexicaulis English:  hymenachne, trompetilla, West Indian marsh grass Poaceae grass
Hypochoeris radicata English: hairy cat’s ear, gosmore Asteraceae herb
Ischaemum timorense English:  centipede grass, stalkleaf murainagrass, lucuntu grass; Other:  waidoi grass (Fiji) Poaceae grass
Jasminum fluminense English:  Brazilian jasmine Oleaceae vine
Juncus spp. English: rush Juncaceae rush
Khaya senegalensis English: African mahogany, Senegal mahogany Meliaceae tree
Kunzea ericoides English:  tree manuka, tree manuba, kanuka (New Zealand), burgan, white teatree Myrtaceae tree
Kyllinga polyphylla English: Navua sedge; Other: tuise tele, tuise fiti (Samoa) Cyperaceae sedge
Lemna spp. English:  duckweed; Other: fala‘o‘oto (Samoa) Lemnaceae herb
Leonotis nepetifolia English:  lion’s tail, lion’s ear, Christmas candlestick; French: gros bouton, gros tête Lamiaceae herb
Leptospermum scoparium English: New Zealand tea; manuka (New Zealand) Myrtaceae tree
Ligustrum spp. English:  privet Oleaceae shrubs/small trees
Lophostemon confertus English: brush box, Brisbane box, vinegar tree Myrtaceae tree
Ludwigia peruviana English: ludwigia, Peruvian primrose, water primrose Onagraceae shrub
Macfadyena unguis-cati English: cat's-claw climber Bignoniaceae vine
Maesopsis eminii English: umbrella tree, musizi Rhamnaceae tree
Medinilla magnifica English: chandelier tree, showy melastome, showy medinilla, Malaysian orchid Melastomataceae shrub
Medinilla venosa English: holdtight Melastomataceae shrub
Melastoma candidum English:  Asian melastome, Indian rhododendron, Malabar melastome Melastomataceae tree
Melastoma sanguineum English:  fox-tongued melastoma, red melastome Melastomataceae shrub/tree
Melicoccus bijugatus English: Spanish lime Sapindaceae tree
Memecylon floribundum     Melastomataceae shrub
Miconia calvescens English: miconia, velvetleaf, purple plague, bush currant Melastomataceae tree
Microlaena stipoides English:  meadow ricegrass, weeping grass Poaceae grass
Mimosa pigra English:  catclaw mimosa, thorny sensitiveplant, giant mimosa, giant sensitive plant, black mimosa, zaraz, dormilona, bashful plant, amourette violet; French: amourette riviére Fabaceae shrub
Montanoa hibiscifolia English: montanoa, tree daisy, Anzac flower Asteraceae shrub
Morella faya English:  fayatree, firetree, firebush Myricaceae tree
Myriophyllum aquaticum English: parrot's feather, water feather, Brazilian water milfoil Haloragidaceae aquatic herb
Nassella cernua English: nodding tussockgrass Poaceae grass
Neonotonia wightii English: glycine; French: soja pérenne Fabaceae vine
Ochna kirkii English: Micky Mouse plant, bird’s-eye bush Ochnaceae shrub/tree
Ochna serrulata English:  ochna, Mickey-Mouse plant, bird’s-eye bush Ochnaceae shrub
Ochroma pyramidale English:  balsa, corkwood, down tree Bombacaceae tree
Ossaea marginata   Melastomataceae shrub
Oxyspora paniculata English:  oxyspora, bristletips Melastomataceae shrub
Paederia foetida English:  stink vine, skunk vine; Other: maile pilau, maile ka kahiki (Hawai'i). Rubiaceae vine
Paraserianthes lophantha English: brush wattle, plume albizia, plume acacia, stink bean Fabaceae shrub/tree
Parthenium hysterophorus English: bitterweed, carrot grass, false ragweed, feverfew, parthenium weed, ragweed parthenium, whitetop, Santa Maria Asteraceae herb
Passiflora alata English:  wild passion fruit, wingstem passionflower Passifloraceae shrub
Passiflora caerulea English:  blue passion flower Passifloraceae shrub
Passiflora coccinea English:  scarlet passion flower, red passion flower, red granadilla Passifloraceae shrub
Passiflora ligularis English: sweet granadilla, yellow passionfruit; French: granadille, grenadille douce, barbadine; French: granadille, grenadille douce, barbadine; Other: lemi wai, lani wai, lemona (Hawai‘i) Passifloraceae vine
Passiflora maliformis English:  hard-shelled passionfruit, sweet calabash, sweet cup; French: pomme calabas; Other:  pasio (Samoa), vaine Tonga, vaine kai (Tonga) Passifloraceae vine
Passiflora pulchella English:  two-lobed passion flower, wingleaf passionfruit Passifloraceae shrub
Passiflora rubra English: red passionfruit, Dutchman's laudanum Passifloraceae vine
Passiflora tarminiana English: banana poka, banana passionfruit, bananadilla Passifloraceae vine
Paulownia tomentosa English:  paulownia, princess-tree, Chinese empress tree, karri-tree Scrophulariaceae tree
Pennisetum clandestinum English: kikuyu grass, kikuyo Poaceae grass
Philadelphus karwinskyanus English: philadelphus, evergreen mock orange, syringa Saxifragaceae shrub
Phormium tenax English: New Zealand flax, New Zealand hemp, bush flax Agavaceae herb
Phyllostachys nigra English:  black bamboo; French: bambou noir Poaceae shrub
Pinus caribaea English:  Caribbean pine, Bahamas pine; Other:  paina (Samoa), paini (Tonga) Pinaceae tree
Piper aduncum English: spiked pepper; Other: yaqona ni Onolulu, yanggona ni Onolulu (Fiji) Piperaceae tree
Pittosporum pentandrum English:  pittosporum, Taiwanese cheesewood, mamalis Pittosporaceae shrub/tree
Pittosporum tobira English:  tobira, Japanese pittosporum, Japanese cheesewood, mock orange, Australian laurel Pittosporaceae shrub/tree
Pittosporup viridiflorum English:  cape pittosporum Pittosporaceae tree
Platycerium bifurcatum English:  elkhorn fern, staghorn fern Selaginellaceae fern
Praxelis clematidea English: praxelis Asteraceae herb
Prosopis spp. English: mesquite, algaroba; Spanish:  algarrobo Fabaceae tree
Pyracantha angustifolia English:  firethorn Rosaceae shrub
Pyrostegia venusta English: flame vine, flame flower, golden shower, orange trumpet vine Bignoniaceae vine
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa English: rose myrtle, downy myrtle, Isenberg bush Myrtaceae shrub
Rhynchospora caduca   Cyperaceae herb
Rivina humilis English: baby pepper, bloodberry, coral berry, rouge plant; Other:  polo (Tonga) Phytolaccaceae herb
Rubus alceifolius English: giant bramble Rosaceae shrub
Rubus rosifolius English: roseleaf raspberry, thimbleberry, Mauritius raspberry; French: framboisier; Other: ola'a, ‘akala, akalakala (Hawai'i) Rosaceae shrub
Rubus spp. English: raspberries, blackberries, brambles Rosaceae shrub
Ruellia brevifolia   Acanthaceae herb
Ruellia prostrata English:  black weed, bell weed; Other:  vao uli, vao uliuli (Samoa) Acanthaceae herb
Salvinia molesta English:  salvinia, water fern, kariba weed, African payal Salviniaceae fern
Sanchezia parvibracteata English: sanchezia Acanthaceae shrub
Sanchezia speciosa English: sanchezia. Acanthaceae shrub
Schinus molle English:  pepper tree, California pepper tree, Peruvian peppertree, pepperina; French: faux poivrier, molée des jardins, poivrier d'Amérique Anacardiaceae tree
Schizachyrium condensatum English: little bluestem, bush beardgrass Poaceae grass
Senecio madagascariensis English: fireweed Asteraceae herb
Senna septemtrionalis English:  buttercup bush, yellow shower, laburnum; Other:  mosimosi, naseni karakarawa, winivinikau (Fiji); kolomona, kalamona (Hawai'i) Fabaceae shrub/tree
Senna siamea English:  cassod tree, kassod tree, Siamese cassia; French: bois perdrix; Other:  kasia (Tonga) Fabaceae tree
Sesbania punicea English:  red sesbania, coffee weed, rattle-pod, sesban, red seine bean, Brazil rattlebox, coffee of the coast, tame acacia, false poinciana, black acacia, purple sesbane Fabaceae shrub
Setaria palmifolia English: palmgrass, short pitpit, hailans pitpit, broadleaved bristlegrass; Other:  vao ‘ofe‘ofe (Samoa) Poaceae grass
Solandra maxima English:  golden cup, cup of gold, chalice vine; Spanish: copa de oro Solanaceae liana
Solanum capsicoides English:  cockroach berry, devil’s apple, soda apple; Other:  kikania kei, akaaka, akaka (Hawai'i) Solanaceae herb
Solanum mauritianum English: bugweed, wild tobacco, tree tobacco; Other: pua nana honua (Hawai'i), pula (Tonga) Solanaceae shrub
Solanum seaforthianum English: potato creeper, Brazilian nightshade Solanaceae vine
Solanum tampicense English: wetland nightshade, aquatic soda apple Solanaceae aquatic herb
Solanum viarum English: tropical soda apple Solanaceae herb?
Stapelia gigantea English: carrion flower, starfish flower, zulu-giant, giant toad plant Asclepiadaceae succulent
Syncarpia glomulifera English: turpentine tree, lustre wood Myrtaceae tree
Terminalia myriocarpa English: hollock, jhalna Combretaceae tree
Tetrazygia bicolor English:  Florida clover ash Melastomataceae shrub/tree
Tibouchina herbacea English: glorybush, cane ti, tibouchina Melastomataceae herb
Tibouchina urvilleana English: glorybush, lasiandra, princess flower Melastomataceae herb
Toona ciliata English:  Australian red cedar, toon; Other:  tuna (Samoa), sita kula (Tonga) Meliaceae tree
Triadica sebifera English:  Chinese tallow tree, popcorn tree, vegetable tallow, white wax berry, chicken tree, Florida aspen; French: arbre à suif, boiré Euphorbiaceae tree
Tribulus terrestris English:  puncture vine, goat head; French: tribule terrestre Zygophyllaceae herb
Triplaris weigeltiana English: long john, long jack Polygonaceae tree
Turbina corymbosa English:  turbina, Christmas vine, ololiuqui Convolvulaceae vine
Ulex europaeus English: gorse, furze, whin; French: ajonc, bois jonc, jonc marin, vigneau Fabaceae shrub
Waterhousea floribunda English: weeping lilly pilly, weeping myrtle Myrtaceae tree
Zantedeschia aethiopica English:  calla lily, arum lily Araceae herb

Table 2. Introduced species that are invasive elsewhere and are also invasive in Micronesia

Scientific Name Common Names Family Habit
Adenanthera pavonina English: Coral bean tree, red sandalwood tree, red bead tree, lopa, bead tree, false wiliwili, peacock flower-fence; French: bois de condori; Other:  kaikes (Pohnpei); mwetkwem (Kosrae); colales, culalis, kolales, kulales, kulalis (Guam, CNMI); metekam, metkam, metkem, (Kosrae); telengtúngd, telentundalel (Palau); pomea (Fiji, Niue), lera, lere ndamu, vaivai, vaivai ni vavalangi (Fiji), lopa, la‘au lopa (American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga); paina, pitipitio (French Polynesia) Fabaceae tree
Antigonon leptopus English:  Mexican creeper, mountain rose, Confederate vine, chain-of-love, hearts on a chain, love-vine, coral bells, coral vine, queen’s jewels, kadena de amor, corallita; Other: dilngau (Palau); rohsapoak (Pohnpei) Polygonaceae vine
Chromolaena odorata English:  Siam weed, triffid weed, bitter bush, Jack in the bush; French:  herbe du Laos; Other:  kesengesil, masigsig (Guam); otuot (Chuuk), ngesngesil (Palau); wisolmatenrehwei (Pohnpei); mahsrihsrihk (Kosrae); hagonoy, agonoi, huluhagonoi (Philippines) Asteraceae herb
Cinnamomum verum English:  cinnamon tree; French: cannelier de Ceylan; Other:  ochod ra ngebard (Palau). tinamoni, tigamoni (American Samoa and Samoa) Lauraceae tree
Clerodendrum chinense English:  Honolulu rose, stickbush, glory bower; Other:  losa Honolulu, losa onolulu (American Samoa and Samoa); pikake hohono, pikake wauke (Hawai'i), pitate mama (Cook Islands) Verbenaceae shrub
Clidemia hirta English:  Koster’s curse, soap bush; French: canot-macaque; Other:  kui, kúi (Palau); kauresinga, kaurasinga, roinisinga, ndraunisinga, mara na bulumakau, mbona na mbulamakau, vuti (Fiji); kaurasiga (from Ecoport, no source given) Melastomataceae shrub
Coccinia grandis English: ivy gourd, scarlet-fruited gourd; Other: kundru (Fiji); kiuri awia (Marshall Islands); aipikohr (Pohnpei) Cucurbitaceae vine
Dieffenbachia seguine English: dieffenbachia, dumb cane; Other: yalu ni vavalagi (Fiji) Araceae herb
Egeria densa English:  egeria, leafy elodea, dense waterweed Hydrocharitaceae aquatic herb
Epipremnum pinnatum cv. 'Aureum' English: pothos, money plant; Other: yalu, wa yalu, wa lu, alu, halu, waloa, matha, nanggalanggala, nanggalinggali, tonga, tanga (Fiji); alu (Tonga) Araceae vine
Falcataria moluccana English:  Molucca albizia; Other:  tamaligi palagi (American Samoa); tuhke kerosene, tuhkehn karisihn (Pohnpei); ukall ra ngebard (Palau); tamaligi uliuli (Samoa) Fabaceae tree
Imperata cylindrica English: blady grass, cogon grass, satintail; French:  paille de dys, paillotte, impérata cylindrique, impérate; Other:  gi, ngi (Fiji); alang-alang, lalang (Indonesia, Malaysia); kasoring (Palau) Poaceae grass
Lantana camara English: lantana; Other: latana (American Samoa and Samoa); taramoa (Cook Islands); kauboica, kaumboitha, mbonambulumakau, mbona ra mbulumakau, tokalau, waiwai, lanitana (Fiji); taratara hamoa, taratara moa (French Polynesia); latora moa, tatara moa (French Polynesia (Tahiti)); lakana, la‘au kalakala, lanakana (Ni‘ihau), mikinolia hihiu, mikinolia hohono, mikinolia kuku (Hawai'i); ros fonacni (Kosrae); te kaibuaka, te kaibuaja (Kiribati); migiroa (Nauru), landana, rantana, rahndana, tukasuweth (Pohnpei); talatala, talatala talmoa (Tonga) Verbenaceae shrub
Leucaena leucocephala English:  leucaena, wild tamarind, lead tree; French: graines de lin, faux-acacia, faux mimosa (New Caledonia); Other:  koa haole, lili-koa, ekoa (Hawai'i); tangantangan, tangan-tangan, talantayan (Guam, CNMI, Marshall Islands); talntangan (CNMI); ganitnityuwan tangantan (Yap); tuhngantuhngan, rohbohtin (Kosrae); telentund (Palau); lopa Samoa (American Samoa and Samoa); fua pepe (American Samoa and Samoa); lusina (Samoa); pepe (Niue and Samoa); tavahi kaku (Niue); nito, toromiro (Cook Islands); siale mohemohe (Tonga); vaivai, vaivai ni vavalangi, vaivai dina, balori (Fiji); atiku (Marquesas); cassis (Vanuatu); te kaitetua (Kiribati); namas (from Ecoport, source not given) Fabaceae tree
Lonicera japonica English:  Japanese honeysuckle, Hall’s honeysuckle; Other:  honekakala (Hawai'i) Caprifoliaceae vine
Melinis minutiflora English: melinis, molasses grass; French: herbe molasses, herbe à miel; Other: puakatau (Tonga) Poaceae grass
Merremia peltata English: merremia; Other: wachathal (yap); lohl, iol, yol (Pohnpei); kebeas (Palau); lagon, lagun (Guam); fitau, fitaw (Chuuk); pala, pul, puhlah (Kosrae); fue, fue vao, fue kula (Niue); fue lautetele (American Samoa and Samoa); fue mea (Tonga); abui, grobihi, arosumou (Solomon Islands); wa mbula, wa bula, wa damu, wa ndamu, viliyawa, wiliviwa, veliyana, wiliao (Fiji); pohue (French Polynesia) Convolvulaceae vine
Mikania micrantha English:  mile-a-minute weed, Chinese creeper, American rope, bittervine; French: liane américaine, liane-serpent; Other: fue saina (American Samoa, Samoa and Niue); fou laina (Niue), teb ‘l yas (Palau); wa mbosuthu, wa mbosuvu, wa mbutako, wa ndamele, ovaova, wa bosucu, usuvanua (Fiji); kwalo koburu, (from Ecoport, no source given) Asteraceae vine
Mimosa diplotricha English: giant sensitive plant, nila grass; French: grande sensitive, sensitive gèante; Other: singbiguin sasa (Saipan); mechiuaiuu (Palau); limemeihr laud (Pohnpei); vao fefe palagi (American Samoa and Samoa), la'au fefe tele, la'au fefe palagi (Samoa); wa ngandrongandro levu, wa ngandrongandro ni wa ngalelevu, co gadrogadro (Fiji) Fabaceae shrub
Mucuna pruriens English: cow itch, velvet bean, Bengal bean, Mauritius bean; French: pois pouilleux, poil à gratter; Other: akangkang dangkulo (Guam) Fabaceae vine
Panicum maximum English: Guinea grass, green panic, buffalograss; French: herbe de Guinéa, panic élevé, capime guiné, fataque; Other: saafa (Tonga) Poaceae grass
Pennisetum setaceum English: fountain grass Poaceae grass
Piper auritum English: eared pepper, anise piper, Veracruz pepper; Spanish: hoja santa, anisillo, hinojo, sabalero, hoja de la estrella; Other: Hawaiian sakau, false sakau, false kava (Pohnpei) Piperaceae shrub
Syngonium angustatum English:  arrowhead plant, goosefoot plant Araceae vine
Tradescantia spathacea English: oyster plant, boat plant, boat lily, moses in a boat; Other: talotalo, laupapaki (Niue) Commelinaceae herb

Table 3. Species that are not known to be particularly invasive elsewhere, but that have spread, appear to be spreading or are potentially invasive in Micronesia

Scientific Name Common Names Family Habit
Clerodendrum quadriloculare English: bronze-leaved clerodendrum; Other: tirooj in belle (Marshall Islands); kleuang (Palau); tuhkehn palau (Pohnpei), bagauac (Philippines) Verbenaceae shrub
Timonius timon English: liberal (Palau); Other: sakosia (from Ecoport, no source given) Rubiaceae tree

Table 4. Species that are mentioned or listed as invasive or weedy elsewhere and are common or weedy in Micronesia

Scientific Name Common Names Family Habit
Abelmoschus moschatus English: fautia, musk mallow, musk okra; French: ambrette, gombo musqué, ketmie musquée, graine de musc; Other:  kamang, ka‘mang (Guam); karereon, karereon nikapwerik nik, kareron, likonokon (Chuuk); gongul (Palau); metei, mety, methey (Pohnpei); hathongethong, kamwayang, nikapwerik, setmwechin, sotumo (Yap);  wakiwaki, wakewake, wakeke, vakeke, aukiki, okeoke, o‘e‘e (Fiji); fou ingo (Niue), fau ingo (Wallis and Futuna); ‘aute toga, fau tagaloa, fua samasama (American Samoa and Samoa); loa, fau‘ingo (Tonga) Malvaceae herb
Acacia auriculiformis English:  Papuan wattle, auri, earleaf acacia, northern black wattle, ear-pod wattle; Other: tuhkehn pwelmwahu (Pohnpei) Fabaceae tree
Acacia confusa English: Formosa koa, Formosa acacia; Other: sosigi, shoshigi, sosugi, boiffuring (Guam and CNMI–Chamorro); serepa, soschghi (CNMI–Carolinian); pilampwoia (Pohnpei); ianángi, yanangi (Palau) Fabaceae tree
Acacia farnesiana English:  Ellington curse, klu, sweet acacia; French:  cassie; Other:  aroma, popinac, kandaroma (Guam, CNMI); kolu (Hawai'i); vaivai vaka-vatona, vaivai vakavotona, ban baburi, oki (Fiji); te kaibakoa (Kiribati); debena (Nauru) Fabaceae shrub
Acacia mangium English: mangium; Other: tuhkehn pwelmwahu (Pohnpei) Fabaceae tree
Agave sisalana English:  sisal, sisal hemp; Other:  ndali, natali (Fiji); Other:  ndali, natali (Fiji), malina (Hawai'i) Agavaceae herb
Albizia lebbeck English:  siris-tree, rain tree, East Indian walnut, kokko, woman's-tongue tree, soros-tree, raom tree ; French:  bois noir; Other:  trongkon-mames, tronkon mames, mamis (Guam); kalaskas, trongkon-kalaskas (CNMI–Chamorro); schepil kalaskas (CNMI–Carolinian); ukall ra ngebard (Palau); gumorningabchey; ngumorrningobchey (Yap); 'ohai (Hawai'i); vaivai, vaivai ni vavalangi, vaivai ni vavalagi (Fiji); tamaligi pa’epa’e (Samoa); kasia (Tonga) Fabaceae tree
Aleurites moluccana English:  candlenut, Indian walnut; French:  bancoulier, bancoulier, noyer de bancoul, noyer des Moluques; Other:  lumbang (Guam), raguar (Caroline Islands); sakan, shakan (Pohnpei); lama (American Samoa and Samoa); kukui (Hawai’i); tuitui (Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga), 'ama (Marquesas); lauci, lauthe, lauthi, toto, tuitui, tutui, waiwai, sekeci,sikethi, sikeli, nggerenggere (Fiji); tahii tiairi, ti’a’iri, tutui, tahiri (French Polynesia) Euphorbiaceae tree
Allamanda cathartica English:  yellow trumpet vine, golden trumpet, allamanda, brownbud allamanda, golden allamanda, golden cup; French:  monette jaune, li’ane s’aime; Other:  pua taunofo (American Samoa and Samoa), lani-ali‘i (Hawai‘i) Apocynaceae shrub
Alpinia purpurata English:  red ginger; Other:  thevunga (Fiji); ‘awapuhi ‘ula‘ula (Hawai‘i); teuila (Samoa); tevunga (Tonga) Zingiberaceae herb
Anacardium occidentale English:  cashew, cashew nut; French:  anacardier, pomme de cojou, acajou a pommes, pommier d’acajou; Other:  kasoi (Guam), ‘apu ‘initia (Samoa); kesiu (Tonga) Anacardiaceae tree
Annona glabra English: pond apple, alligator apple, bullock's heart, cherimoyer; French: annone des marais, corossolier des marais; Other: uto ni mbulumakau, uto ni bulumakau, kaitambo, kaitambu (Fiji) Annonaceae tree
Annona muricata English: soursop, prickly custard apple; French:  corossolier, cacheimantier épineux, cachiman épineux, corossol épineux; Other: saasaf, sasaf (Chuuk); tapotapo papaa (French Polynesia); laguana, laguaná, laguanaha, laguanaba, labuanaha (Guam); sosap (Kosrae); jojaab (Marshall Islands); syasyap (Northern Mariana Islands), talapo fotofoto (Niue), sausab (Palau); sei, sae, truka shai (Pohnpei); sasalapa (Samoa); ‘apele ‘initia (Tonga); sausau (Yap) Annonaceae tree
Annona squamosa English: sugar apple, sweetsop, custard apple, sugar apple; French: annone écailleuse, pomme-canelle; Other:  atis, ates (Guam); ngel ra ngebard (Palau), ‘apele papalangi, ‘apele Tonga (Tonga), tapotapo (French Polynesia) Annonaceae tree
Aristolochia littoralis English:  Dutchman's pipe, calico flower; Other:  fue paipa holani (Tonga) Aristolochiaceae vine
Arundo donax English:  giant reed, Spanish reed, wild cane; French: canne de Provence, grand roseau; Other:  ngasau ni vavalangi (Fiji); fiso papalagi (Samoa); kaho folalahi (Tonga) Poaceae grass
Asparagus densiflorus English:  asparagus fern, sprengeri fern, smilax, regal fern Liliaceae herb
Asparagus setaceus English: ornamental asparagus, climbing asparagus fern, plumosa; French: asperge plumeuse; Other:  taupo ‘ou (Tonga) Liliaceae vine
Asystasia gangetica