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Identification: This distinctive small tree has columnar stems and huge umbrella like leaves. It can grow from 5 - 10 m (15 - 30 ft) tall with round leaves 60 - 100 mm (1 - 4 in) long. Stem attached to the middle of the leaf, rather than the edge. Pink, petal-less flowers form in clusters near the base of the leaf stalk. Young plants may superficially resemble Hawaiian taro (Colocasia esculenta.)
Impacts:
On the island of Hawai‘i, bingabing was seeded from airplanes along with many other weedy forestry species near Hilo after a fire. Today, it lines roadsides, gulches, and disturbed forests in the vicinity. Its large leaf structure creates a dense growth that can crowd and shade out other vegetation.
Dispersal Mechanism: Long distance dispersal of bingabing is achieved primarily through humans who use the plant in ornamental landscaping or reforestation. Bingabing is an established pest on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii, but has been removed from Maui by the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) and is not known to currently grow in Maui County, (see map.)
Characteristics:
More information about this pest 
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