Family: Fabaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Sindora supa is a large tropical hardwood tree native to the Philippines, where it grows in wet tropical forests. It belongs to the legume family (Fabaceae) and is valued for its durable, high-quality timber, which is widely used for construction, furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and other specialty wood products. The tree typically develops a tall, straight trunk and a broad canopy, making it an important forest species as well as a potential shade tree in tropical landscapes. Like other members of the Sindora genus, it produces woody seed pods and is well adapted to warm, humid environments.

Risks & Threats
Although Sindora supa is not known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it does possess traits that are cause for concern. As a long-lived tropical tree adapted to wet forest conditions, it may have the potential to establish outside cultivation in suitable habitats. Its ability to produce viable seeds and persist in tropical climates suggests that further assessment is warranted. While there is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether this species could become invasive in Hawaiʻi, ongoing evaluation is needed to assess its potential impacts on native ecosystems. Caution is recommended when planting or distributing this species to help ensure that it will not negatively impact Hawaiʻi’s unique natural environments.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in Queensland, Australia
  
• Native to tropical climates
  
• Nitrogen-fixing (alters soil nutrients)
  
• Seeds dispersed by animals (fleshy aril)
  
• Tolerates varied soils (limestone to molave)
  
• Produces viable seed

Low Risk Traits:

• Not a weed (garden, agricultural, or environmental)
  
• No congeneric weeds known
  
• Lacks spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Non-toxic to humans or animals