Family: Arecaceae

Copernicia prunifera, commonly known as the carnauba wax palm, is native to northeastern Brazil, where it grows in seasonally dry savannas and river floodplains. This tall, striking palm is easily recognized by its stiff, fan-shaped leaves coated with a natural wax that gives them a bluish-gray sheen. The carnauba palm is best known as the source of carnauba wax, a valuable plant-based wax used in foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, polishes, and sustainable products worldwide. In landscapes, it is prized as an ornamental tree for its strong form, drought tolerance once established, and ability to add a bold, tropical look to open spaces.

At present, carnauba wax palm is not known to be invasive in Hawaiʻi, and there are no widespread reports of it naturalizing or causing ecological harm. However, as a hardy species adapted to challenging conditions, it may possess traits—such as tolerance of drought and poor soils—that warrant thoughtful placement and monitoring in island environments. As with many non-native ornamentals, responsible cultivation is recommended, including avoiding planting near natural areas and watching for unexpected spread.

High Risk Traits:

• High tropical/subtropical climate suitability
  
• Native to tropical regions
  
• Has spines/thorns
  
• Increases fire risk in arid settings
  
• Tolerates wide soil and salt conditions
  
• Produces viable seeds
  
• Intentionally planted by humans
  
• Bird-dispersed fruits
  
• Seeds survive gut passage
  
• High seed production

Low Risk Traits:

• Not naturalized
  
• Limited to tropical climates
  
• Rarely introduced outside native range
  
• Not reported as a weed
  
• Non-toxic and non-allelopathic
  
• Not shade tolerant
  
• Does not climb or form thickets
  
• Reproduces only by seed (no vegetative spread)
  
• Slow maturation (≥4 years to seed)
  
• No unintentional or wind dispersal
  
• No persistent seed bank
  
• Killed by fire or topping