Family: Arecaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Naturalized on Oahu and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands), East Africa, Malaysia and possibly elsewhere
- Regarded as an environmental weed in Tanzania
- Old leaf bases covered with spines
- Outer covering of green, unripe fruit toxic and allergenic
- Shade tolerant
- Tolerates many soil types
- Capable of forming dense stands
- Reproduces by seeds
- May hybridize with other Arenga species
- Seeds dispersed by larger birds and frugivorous mammals, and intentionally by people
- One mature palm may produce as many as 250 000 seeds
Low Risk Traits:
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- May be predominantly outcrossing
- Reaches maturity from 5-7 years up to 12-15 years at higher elevations
- Relatively large seeds unlikely to be dispersed accidentally over long distances