(Pereskia aculeata)

Family: Cactaceae

Description:

• Woody shrub when young, grows into climbing, leafy cactus, with branches are up to 11m (33 ft) long
• Fragrant flowers (can be lemon, sweet, or repulsive smelling) and round yellow-red berries
• Native to the West Indies and the northern coast of South America, introduced intentionally for horticulture (as an ornamental or for its fruit)

Harm:

• Forms dense, thorny thickets in low elevations, overgrows and replaces other plants
• Spread by birds and animals that eat the fruit
• Has become a major weed in South Africa where it is an escaped ornamental

In Hawaii:

• Big Island – Found in only one location in North Kohala near Hawi. The single population is currently being treated.

Download: Barbados Gooseberry Flyer, Pereskia aculeata brochure

For more information, see:

• Pereskia aculeata information from HEAR
• Pereskia aculeata information from PIER

(Morella cerifera)

Family: Myricaceae

Description:

• Large, densely foliated upright shrub to small tree
• Can grow up to 35’ tall but usually found between 15’-20’ tall
• Has thin, alternate olive green leaves to 4” long
• Leaves are aromatic when crushed
• Flowers are small, inconspicuous pinkish catkins, followed by rounded green to grayish blue fruits found densely clustered along stem
• Fruit is coated with wax

Harm:

• Wax myrtle grows rapidly and easily invades to become a weedy pest
• It is a tough plant, adapted to many climatic conditions which can displace native vegetation
• Produces numerous bird dispersed fruits that can easily germinate under many conditions
• Has the ability to colonize and dominate disturbed areas in a variety of habitats

In Hawaii:

• Big Island – Found spreading in Hilo including Mohouli Street extension and Stainback Highway

Download: Wax Myrtle Flyer

(Cotoneaster Pannosus)

Family: Rosaceae

The Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has designated this species as one of Hawaii’s Most Invasive Horticultural Plants.

Description:

• Multi-stemmed, woody shrub with arching branches up to 10’ tall
• 1/2″ to 1” long oblong gray-green leaves with matted hairs on the undersides
• Produces clusters of 1/4” long, five petaled white flowers followed by round dull red fruit which contain 1-4 seeds

Harm:

• Forms dense monotypic stands in dry or wet open areas including pastures and roadsides
• Prefers cooler climates and poses a risk to native mid-elevation forests since its fruit is bird dispersed and can readily germinate under most conditions

In Hawaii:

• Big Island – Found in Paauilo, Puu Makaala, and Ocean View

Download: Cotoneaster Flyer

(Buddleja madagascariensis)

Family: Buddlejaceae

Smoke bush, known also as butterfly bush, is an aggressive shrub that is on the Hawaii Department of Forestry and Wildlife’s list, “Hawaii’s Most Invasive Horticultural Plants”. This species is rated “HIGH RISK” for invasiveness, with a score of “7” by the Weed Risk Assessment for Hawaii and Pacific Islands. Smoke bush is recognized as an invasive species in Florida, Australia, South Africa, and in the Caribbean.

Description:

• Viney shrub with dense, sprawling habit
• Clusters of small, orange, attractive, fragrant flowers
• Gray-green leaves 3-5″ long
• Seeds born in pulpy fruits on terminal clusters
• Native to Madagascar, introduced to Hawaii as an ornamental plant

Harm:

• Aggressive invader of disturbed areas at mid to low elevations, including open range, stream beds, and gulches
• Forms dense stands that crowd out and compete with native plants
• Plant produces numerous fruit that are attractive to birds, which disperse the seeds.
• Mechanical and chemical control of this species is difficult.

On the island of Hawaii:

• Infestations in Volcano, Puna, Waimea, Paauilo, South Kona. Targeted for control by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC)

Download: Smoke Bush Flyer, Buddleja brochure

For more information, see:

• Buddleja madagascariensis information from HEAR
• Buddleja madagascariensis information from PIER

Axis deer was first illegally introduced in December 2009, but the first confirmed sighting wasn’t until February 2011. Four deer were transported from Maui where axis deer was previously introduced in 1959. BIISC immediately began monitoring the area and confirmed axis deer had made its way to the Big Island. Surveys were produced with the use of FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared Radar) equipment, helicopter flights, and other methods. The BIISC vertebrate team was able to quickly and successfully eradicate the deer. There have been no more confirmed sightings of axis deer since.

But that is not the end of the problem. Because the first confirmed sighting was a little more than a year after the initial introduction there is a possibility that the first deer had already begun breeding increasing the total amount of deer that was speculated to be on the Big Island. The BIISC vertebrate team is still conducting some surveys but relies heavily on sighting reports from the public. One of the main ways to ID and axis deer is by the white spots on its body.

Axis deer can cause a lot of damage to the Big Islands natural environment as well as the agricultural industry. In the past they have caused millions of damage to golf courses, food crops, ranches, landscaping, and more. Deer are also a carrier of bovine tuberculosis which can have devastating results to the cattle industry. Axis deer reproduce extremely quickly and it would only take a few years for them to become established and uncontrollable.

If you see and axis deer or any other kind of vertebrate that shouldn’t be there please let us know.
Report A Pest or call the Deer Hotline immediately at (808) 443-4036

Summer 2015 “Wildlife Professional” magazine article: Axis Deer Wildlife Professional 2015 (1)

Download: Axis Deer alert