Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson, Acanthaceae

Click on an image for links to BIGGER PICTURES

Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 12 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Asystasia coromandeliana Nees; Justicia gangetica L.; Ruellia zeylanica J. Koenig ex Roxb.

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: kuan ye shi wan cuo

English: Chinese violet, Philippine violet, asystasia, coromandel

French: herbe le rail, herbe piment, herbe pistache

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Decumbent herb, tending to be bushy sometimes slightly woody below, stems geniculate below, branches ascending or erect, irregularly appressed puberulent, especially at or near nodes, stems somewhat angular or striate; leaves thin, ovate to almost orbicular, apex acuminate, base obtuse to subcordate, margins entire, few pairs of veins; stipules none; racemes terminal, strongly one-sided or secund (cymose?), becoming elongate, pedicels slightly curved, distally very short, 1-3 mm, bracts and bracteoles triangular acuminate, 1-2 mm long; calyx-lobes lanceolate-acuminate, 5-7 mm long, hairy; corolla 3-4 cm long, purple to yellow or white, tube 0.5-1 cm long, tending to be slightly curved, throat narrowly campanulate, slightly compressed dorsiventrally, lobes suborbicular, slightly flaring, obtuse to rounded, throat and lobes very thinly puberulent outside; capsule about 3 cm long, basal stipe-like part 1.5 cm, distal, fertile part irregularly ellipsoidal or ovoid, acuminate; seed irregularly disk-shaped, pale, margin irregularly scalloped, sides rugose" (Fosberg et al, 1993; pp. 24-25).

Habitat/ecology:  "Chinese violet is a rapidly growing perennial, shrubby herb which grows to 1 m height but can grow over shrubs up to 3 m tall.  It can smother all vegetation in the herbaceous layer.  Chinese violet grows in dry habitats between sea level and 300 m" (C.W. Smith, 1985).  In Hawai‘i, "cultivated and commonly becoming naturalized, primarily in urban areas or in low elevation, disturbed habitats"  (Wagner et al., 1999); "in mesic to dry habitats"  (Motooka et al., 2003)..  In Fiji, "cultivated or naturalized near settlements near sea level"  (A.C. Smith, 1985).  In Niue, "naturalised in some waste areas in and around the villages.  In Alofi, one or two sloping banks near the radio station were almost carpeted with this plant.  It was especially evident on ground that had fairly recently been cleared of scrub" (Sykes, 1970; p. 37).

Propagation:  Seed, rhizomes. The seeds are dispersed from explosive capsules but long-distance dispersal is effected by man (C.W. Smith, 1985; p. 185).

Native range:  Africa and India; cultivated and naturalized elsewhere (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 5) Voucher cited: Yuncker 9393
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 83857) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1939) (voucher ID: BISH 127439) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 255)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1966) (voucher ID: BISH 420284) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 63)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1982) (voucher ID: PTBG 26454) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H./Oliver, R. L. (1993) (p. 25) Voucher cited: Herbst & Falanruw 6920 (US)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 25) Voucher: BMW 5800 (BISH, BRI, AD)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (2000) (voucher ID: BISH 687773) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 25)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 11)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. (2002) (p. 62)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced cultivated	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 64) Vouchers cited: M.J. Balick 4157 (NY, PTBG), M.J. Balick 4158 (NY, PTBG)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2000) (voucher ID: PTBG 43617) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2000) (voucher ID: PTBG 43620) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (p. 124) Vouchers cited: Greenwood 738, 738A, 1115; DA 10830, 11546, 12111; H.B.R. Parham 55
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1945) (voucher ID: BISH 695484) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 41900) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 42255) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Bora Bora Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 12188 (PAP). "Ornementale rare, se naturalisant aisément".
French Polynesia Society Islands	Bora Bora Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1993) (voucher ID: BISH 662589) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	introduced	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence & R. Tahuaitu 11663 (PAP), J. Florence & R. Tahuaitu 11664 (PAP)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1992) (voucher ID: BISH 643311) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1992) (voucher ID: BISH 643418) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1987) (p. 62) Voucher cited: Fosberg 64911 (US)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1985) (voucher ID: BISH 607776) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced cultivated	University of California (2006) "Cultivated in gardens and disturbed areas".
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 5009 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1983) (voucher ID: BISH 574233) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia (Genus of Acanthaceae)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 19) Voucher cited: Fosberg 63569
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 599295) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 19) Vouchers cited: BRY 24840, Florence 2634
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	cultivated	Fosberg, F. R. (1997)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 2634 (PAP), J. Florence 2872 (PAP) Naturalisée. Ornementale assez commune à Tahiti.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 491047) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1988) (voucher ID: BISH 558267) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia (Genus of Acanthaceae)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Makatea (Ma‘atea) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 255)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1981) (voucher ID: BISH 573203) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Oppenheimer, Hank L./Bartlett, R. T. (2000) (p. 1) Vouchers cited: Oppenheimer H119820 (BISH), Oppenheimer H119821 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 168)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Oppenheimer, Hank (2007) (p. 18) Voucher cited: Oppenheimer H100636 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 168)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 168)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 168)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Butaritari Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 255) Presence not verified.
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Tarawa Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 255)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Tarawa Atoll	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Imada, Clyde T. (2004) (p. 28)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 255)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 98)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Arno Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2007) (p. 4) "Rare; single plant in container by private residence in Ine".
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 57)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Wotje (Wõjjã) Atoll	introduced	Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2009) (p. 3) Voucher cited: Vander Velde 0518200913
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 78) Vouchers cited: Scully 127N (US?), Hassall 231 (SUVA)
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 88)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 8) Vouchers cited: MacKee 28505, Létocart in MacKee 44674
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 37) Voucher cited: CHR 169945
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 5)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 7)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. A./Atherton, J. (1997) (p. 24)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Yuncker, T. G. (1943) (p. 109) Voucher cited: Yuncker 9805 (BISH)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 39)
Palau Kayangel Atoll	Kayangel Islet	introduced invasive	Miles, Joel (2015) (p. 2) ref cites other taxa as "Cultivated," but not this one, so implication is that this taxon was found in a non-cultivated situation (PT@PhilipT.com/20170602)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 84) ssp. gangetica
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 21)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Kayangel (Ngcheangel) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (pp. 8, 21) Voucher: Lorence 9780 (PTBG, BNM, NY, US)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Kayangel (Ngcheangel) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2008) (voucher ID: PTBG 73) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Kayangel (Ngcheangel) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1983) (voucher ID: PTBG 26442) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 79) ssp. gangetica
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 21)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Malakal (Ngemelachel) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 79) ssp. gangetica
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 79) ssp. gangetica
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	possibly introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 63, 76)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands		Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 480) In thickets near towns at low altitudes.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 5) Voucher cited: Whistler 2246
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1958) (voucher ID: BISH 698180) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced cultivated	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 49)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Ha‘ano Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 70)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Ha‘apai Islands		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 1) Vouchers cited: Soakai 322, Soakai 703
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 243) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15796
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 127438) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1978) (voucher ID: BISH 664363) Taxon name on voucher: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka and Foa Islands	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 70)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 1) Voucher cited: Soakai 1032
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Midway Atoll	Midway Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 168)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	New South Wales	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, Barbara (year unknown) See comments below.
China China	China (People's Republic of)	introduced invasive cultivated	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) Forest margins, roadsides. Naturalized in Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan.
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	possibly introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 63, 76)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	possibly introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 63, 76)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	possibly introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 63, 76)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 16) Naturalised
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) Forest margins, roadsides.

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 105) Garden escape
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1993) (p. 16)
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Cocos (Keeling) Islands	Cocos (Keeling) Islands	native	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1993) (p. 36)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced invasive	MacDonald, I. A. W./Thebaud, C./Strahm, W. A./Strasberg, D. (1991) (pp. 51-61)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced invasive	Lavergne, Christophe (2006) Subsp. micrantha (Nees) Ensermu. "Naturalisé/±envahissant"
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 38)
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Rodrigues Island	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves/Lavergne, Christophe (2004) (p. 344)
French Territory of Mayotte Mayotte Islands	Mayotte Island	introduced invasive	Comité français de l'Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature en France (2013)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Coetivy Island		Robertson, S. A./Fosberg, F. R. (1983) (p. 145) Voucher cited: Robertson 3155 (K)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Frégate Island		Robertson, S. A./Todd, D. M. (1983) (p. 44) Voucher cited: Robertson 2681
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Marie-Louise Island		Wilson, J. R. (1983) (p. 188)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves/Lavergne, Christophe (2004) (p. 344)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2013)

Comments:  A potential problem species in French Polynesia.

Subsp. micrantha is a serious invader in Malaysia and Indonesia.  Small infestations are being eradicated in northern New South Wales, Australia. (Barbara Waterhouse, pers. com.)

Control: 

Chemical:  "Probably sensitive to hormone-type herbicides" (Motooka et al., 2003).