Family: Arecaceae

Chamaedorea seifrizii, commonly known as bamboo palm or reed palm, is a clumping, slender palm native to southern Mexico and Central America, where it grows in moist, shaded forest understories. It typically reaches about 6–10 feet tall and has multiple thin, cane-like stems topped with graceful, arching, feather-like leaves. Because of its tolerance for shade and indoor conditions, bamboo palm is widely used as an ornamental plant in landscapes, patios, and interiorscapes, and is one of the most commonly cultivated palms worldwide.

Although bamboo palm is not currently naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it does possess several traits that are cause for concern. It produces viable seeds that are dispersed by birds, tolerates shade and a range of soil conditions, and is widely planted, all of which can increase the chance of escape from cultivation. In other regions, it has shown the ability to persist outside of gardens and invade disturbed forested areas. Further evaluation is needed to determine whether Chamaedorea seifrizii could spread or negatively impact Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystems, particularly in wet, shaded habitats similar to its native range.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized outside its native range (e.g., Florida), indicating ability to persist beyond cultivation
  
• Widely cultivated and heavily traded as an ornamental, increasing propagule pressure
  
• Suited to tropical and subtropical climates with a strong climate match to Hawaiʻi
  
• Shade tolerant, allowing establishment in forest understories and hammocks
  
• Bird-dispersed fruits, enabling long-distance seed dispersal
  
• Seeds survive passage through bird digestive systems, enhancing dispersal success
  
• Produces viable seed, with documented successful germination
  
• Capable of vegetative reproduction via suckers/offshoots
  
• Tolerates a range of soil types, including limestone and moist soils
  
• Potential to form a persistent seed bank, with some seeds germinating years after dispersal
  
• Documented as a minor garden/disturbance weed and listed as a potential environmental weed in Florida
  
• Host for plant pathogens (e.g., Phytophthora nicotianae) affecting ornamental palms

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of aggressive spread or major ecosystem alteration
  
• Does not form dense thickets in native or introduced ranges
  
• Slow to moderate growth rate, not rapidly dominating habitats
  
• Not an agricultural or forestry weed
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs, reducing physical hazard
  
• Not allelopathic (no evidence of chemical suppression of other plants)
  
• Not parasitic or climbing/smothering
  
• Not adapted to wind dispersal, limiting uncontrolled spread
  
• Not a fire hazard in natural ecosystems
  
• Dioecious (separate male and female plants), which can limit reproduction when plants are sparse
  
• Generally well controlled with herbicides, if management is needed