Family: Arecaceae

Clinostigma ponapense (Kotop, Ponape palm) is a species of tree fern endemic to the island of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. Pohnpeians use the large bracts to carry things downhill and the leaves are used for making shelters. The tree fern is also grown ornamentally for gardens and lawns, it is also used as a medicinal plant to treat various ailments. This plant has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Some shade tolerance (may be able to spread into intact forests)
  
• May possibly form dense stands in native range
  
• May be able to hybridize with other Clinostigma species
  
• Seeds dispersed by frugivores and intentionally by people
  
• Limited ecological information makes accurate risk prediction difficult

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Ornamental
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Reaches maturity in 7+ years