Shoebutton Care

A. elliptica is one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species (Lowe et al., 2004). This ornamental shrub has been widely introduced around the tropics and sub-tropics from it native South-East Asia, and has since escaped from cultivation, becoming a particular problem weed in southern Florida and the Everglades, also Hawaii, and has naturalized in Australia, Puerto Rico and likely in other countries. Birds and some mammals are the main local dispersal agents via consumption of the edible berries. It is shade tolerant and can form monotypic stands in moist areas displacing native vegetation. Planting of A. elliptica has been banned in some areas, though its continued availability via ornamental plant dealers means further introduction may be likely.