Hawaii residents are urged to use the Pest Hotline to promptly report sightings of invasive pests such as snakes, unusually aggressive stinging ants, and illegal or unknown animals. Call 643-PEST (643-7378)
Sprawling, climbing bramble or shrub with thorns on stems and leaves
Yellow flowers in clusters, brown pods, with 4-9 black seeds
Native to tropical Asia, introduced to Hawaii for use as a natural fence. First collected on Oahu in 1910, transported to Maui on construction equipment from another island
Harm:
Forms dense, thorny thickets, and grows into trees
Closes off pastures to animals.
Hazardous to animals (a dead cow was found caught in a thicket on Kauai)
Prevents hiking, hunting and other activities where infestations occur
In Hawaii:
Kauai and Oahu: Widespread and beyond control
Maui: Known to only in one gulch-Kakipi (Halehaku). A small satellite population was known from Ulupalakua, but it has since been removed. Not currently a MISC target.
Molokai: Infestation in gulches near Kalae appears too large for MoMISC control. Landowners are asked to control this pest where possible.
Lanai: Presence/absence unknown.
Kahoolawe: None known.
Big Island: Population naturalized in Kau. Considered too widespread for BIISC to control. Landowners are asked to control where possible.
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