Family: Fabaceae
Origin, Description & Uses:
Inocarpus fagifer, commonly known as Polynesian chestnut or Tahitian chestnut, is a tropical tree native to island regions of the South Pacific, including Melanesia and Polynesia. It is a medium to large evergreen tree with a dense, spreading canopy, glossy dark green leaves, and fragrant white flowers. The tree produces large, rounded fruits containing edible seeds that have long been an important traditional food source; the seeds are typically cooked before consumption and have a flavor similar to chestnuts. Widely cultivated across the Pacific, this species is valued for food production, shade, coastal stabilization, and cultural significance in agroforestry systems.
Risks & Threats:
This species is considered low risk and is not known to be invasive. Inocarpus fagifer tends to reproduce primarily through intentional planting or limited natural dispersal, and it generally does not spread aggressively into natural areas. While it can persist in tropical environments, it has not demonstrated the ability to outcompete native vegetation or significantly alter ecosystems. As with many cultivated trees, monitoring is still recommended when planted near sensitive habitats, but overall, Polynesian chestnut poses minimal threat to Hawaii’s native ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- History of repeated introductions outside native range
- Host for pests/pathogens (fungus Helotium inocarpi, fruit fly Bactrocera melanotus)
- Nitrogen-fixing woody plant
- Produces viable seed
- Propagules intentionally dispersed by people
- Propagules water-dispersed (float for >1 month)
Low Risk Traits:
- No weed status
- No spines, thorns, or burrs
- Not allelopathic, parasitic, or toxic
- No fire hazard
- Not climbing, aquatic, grass, or geophyte
- Long time to first reproduction (~8 years)
- No vegetative fragmentation
- No prolific seed production (large seeds)
- No persistent seed bank (seeds lose viability quickly)
