Family: Fabaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Hymenaea courbaril, commonly known as West Indian locust or jatobá, is a large, long-lived tropical tree native to the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of northern South America. It can reach impressive heights with a broad canopy and produces thick, woody pods containing a dry, sweet pulp. The tree is valued for its extremely durable hardwood, often used in construction, flooring, and furniture, as well as for its edible fruit and traditional medicinal uses. It is also planted as a shade tree in tropical landscapes and agroforestry systems due to its resilience and ability to thrive in a range of soil conditions.

Risks & Threats:
This species is considered low risk and is not known to be invasive in Hawai‘i. Hymenaea courbaril generally reproduces at a moderate rate and does not exhibit aggressive spreading behavior in most environments. While any introduced plant has the potential to escape cultivation under the right conditions, there is little evidence that this species poses significant ecological threats. With proper management and responsible planting, it can be a useful and beneficial tree in appropriate settings without negatively impacting native ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Native in tropical/subtropical climates
  
• Shade tolerant (at least at some life stage)
  
• Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Propagules likely dispersed unintentionally (via sticky resin)
  
• Propagules dispersed intentionally by people
  
• Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)
  
• Evidence of a persistent propagule bank (>1 year)

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of naturalization
  
• No evidence of being a weed (agricultural, environmental, or congeneric)
  
• No spines, thorns, burrs, or allelopathic/parasitic traits
  
• No evidence of toxicity to animals or humans
  
• Does not form dense thickets
  
• Requires specialist pollinators (bats) – reduces risk of unassisted spread
  
• No vegetative reproduction
  
• Large seeds not adapted for wind, water, bird, or gut-passage dispersal
  
• Not a prolific seed producer