Family: Arecaceae

Borassus flabellifer, commonly known as the palmyra palm or toddy palm, is a tall, iconic palm native to South and Southeast Asia. It can reach impressive heights of 80–100 feet, with a straight trunk topped by a crown of large, fan-shaped leaves. The tree is highly valued in its home range: its sweet sap is used to make sugar and beverages, the fruit is edible, and the leaves, wood, and fibers are used for construction, weaving, and tools. Because of its striking appearance and many cultural uses, it is sometimes planted as an ornamental in tropical regions.

In Hawaiʻi, Borassus flabellifer is not widely cultivated, and there is currently no evidence that it is naturalized or invasive. However, like many long-lived palms that produce abundant fruit, it has the potential to spread if planted extensively, especially in open or disturbed landscapes. Its large size and heavy fruit can also pose safety concerns in residential or high-traffic areas. While not considered a major threat at this time, it should still be planted with awareness and monitored to ensure it does not escape cultivation.

High Risk Traits:

• Native to tropical climates
  
• Naturalized (with a long history of cultivation)
  
• Listed as invasive in parts of its introduced range (but with no description of negative impacts
  
• Leaf petioles edged with hard spines
  
• Possibly toxic if consumed in large quantities
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Seeds spread intentionally by people, and large mammals
  
• Can be an alternative host of palm pathogens and diseases

Low Risk Traits:

• Regarded as a desirable food plant in native and introduced ranged
  
• Requires full sun
  
• Reached maturity after 8 or more years
  
• Large fruit and seeds limit would limit inadvertent dispersal
  
• Will not form a persistent seed bank