Family: Arecaceae
Chamaedorea ernesti-augusti, commonly known as guayita, tuna tail palm, or xate palm, is a small, slow-growing palm native to the understory of tropical forests in southern Mexico and Central America. It typically has slender stems and distinctive, broad, fishtail-shaped leaves that give the plant a lush, elegant appearance. Because it tolerates low light and has an attractive form, this palm is widely grown as an ornamental plant for interiorscapes, shade gardens, and landscaping. Its durable foliage has also been harvested in its native range for use in floral arrangements, particularly as cut greenery.
At present, Chamaedorea ernesti-augusti is not known to pose significant environmental risks in Hawaiʻi. It does not show strong tendencies to spread aggressively, and its slow growth and preference for shaded, managed environments reduce the likelihood of naturalization. However, as with many ornamental palms, escape from cultivation is possible if conditions are favorable, especially in moist forested areas. Responsible planting, proper disposal of plant material, and avoiding use near natural areas help minimize any potential future impacts.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Other Chamaedorea species have become weedy or invasive
- Shade-tolerant
- Seeds probably dispersed by birds, frugivorous mammals and intentionally by people
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Ornamental
- Dioecious
- Requires specialized pollinators
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Slow growth rate and long time to reproductive maturity
- Limited seed set in cultivation
