{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}} {{Speciesbox |image = Colubrina asiatica, detail.jpg |status = LC |status_system = IUCN3.1 |status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn |author=Razafiniary, V. |year=2021 |title=''Colubrina asiatica'' |article-number=e.T165428838A165428902 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T165428838A165428902.en |access-date=20 December 2025}}</ref> |genus = Colubrina |species = asiatica |authority = (L.) Brongn. |synonyms = ''Ceanothus asiaticus'' <small>L.</small><ref>{{GRIN | accessdate=2010-08-20}}</ref> }}
'''''Colubrina asiatica''''' is a shrub in the family Rhamnaceae that is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, from eastern Africa to India, southeast Asia, tropical Australia, and the Pacific Islands.<ref>Plant Conservation Alliance Least Wanted list [http://www.nps.gov/pnlats/alien/fact/coas1.htm]{{dead link|date=June 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Retrieved 2010-07-25</ref> Common names include '''latherleaf''', '''Asian nakedwood''' and '''Asian snakewood'''.
==Description== thumb|left|Colubrina asiatica in Illustrations of Indian Botany (1840). ''Colubrina asiatica'' has a vine-like growth habit, sending out multiple stems that can reach {{convert|9|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length. The branches have simple, alternate, glossy, ovate and acuminate leaves, {{convert|3.7|-|13.7|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, with several prominent veins. Leaf margins are wavy or finely serrated (toothed). Flowers are small, greenish and bloom in clusters in leaf axils. Blooming can occur year-round. Fruit are {{convert|1.3|cm|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} berry-like capsules with small, gray seeds. Seeds float and are tolerant to salt water, which allows the species to spread across oceans.<ref>Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=348#classification Retrieved 2010-07-25</ref>
The plants grow in full to partial sun on upland sites.
==As an invasive species== In Florida in the United States, ''Colubrina asiatica'' is an invasive species, capable of displacing native plants and altering the ecosystem. It is listed as a Type 1 exotic invader by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. It has been found in the southern part of the Florida peninsula, including in Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier, Lee and Martin counties, and in the Florida Keys (Monroe County).<ref>Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants, http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=348 Retrieved 2010-07-25.</ref> It was first collected in Florida in 1937.<ref>Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, http://www.eddmaps.org/florida/species/subject.cfm?sub=5358. Retrieved 2010-07-25.</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category-inline|Colubrina asiatica|''Colubrina asiatica''}} {{Wikispecies-inline|Colubrina asiatica|''Colubrina asiatica''}} * [https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=348#classification Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q5149520}}
asiatica Category:Flora of Africa Category:Flora of China Category:Flora of tropical Asia Category:Flora of Australia Category:Plants described in 1826 Category:Taxa named by Adolphe-Théodore Brongniart Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus