Invasive umbrella tree spotted spreading near Hawaii state park
iNaturalist: sable30797
Invasive Species
If you garden or hike in Hawaii, this tree's sticky seeds spread by birds into wild forest edges, so a sighting like this near a state park is worth flagging to local invasive species watchers.
Someone walking near Heeia State Park in Hawaii spotted an Australian umbrella tree and logged it on iNaturalist, where other naturalists confirmed the identification, making it a verified record. This tree is originally from Australia but has become a well-known invasive pest in Hawaii, crowding out native plants once it escapes gardens.
Key Findings
Observation was verified to research-grade status by the iNaturalist community
Location logged as Kamehameha Highway near Heeia State Park, Hawaii 96744
Heptapleurum actinophyllum (formerly Schefflera actinophylla) is a documented invasive species in Hawaiian ecosystems
chevron_right Technical Summary
A citizen scientist logged a research-grade sighting of the Australian umbrella tree growing along a highway near Heeia State Park in Hawaii, a species known to spread aggressively into native forest there.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Australian Umbrella Tree (Heptapleurum actinophyllum) observed in Kamehameha Hwy + Heeia State Park, Hawaii 96744, USA
Research-grade observation of Australian Umbrella Tree in Kamehameha Hwy + Heeia State Park, Hawaii 96744, USA.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Heptapleurum actinophyllum is a tree in the family Araliaceae. It is native to tropical rainforests and gallery forests in northern and northeastern Queensland coasts and the Northern Territory of Australia, as well as New Guinea and Java. Common names include Australian umbrella tree, Queensland...