Family: Arecaceae

Clinostigma samoense (Samoan Palm) is a palm native to Samoa. It is classified as endangered according to the IUCN Red List. It is a popular species among palm enthusiasts in Hawaiʻi and other areas of the tropical and subtropical world. This plant has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Possibly naturalizing on American Samoa
  
• Shade-tolerant (may be able to spread into intact forests)
  
• May be able to hybridize with other Clinostigma species
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, flying foxes and intentionally by people
  
• Limited ecological information makes accurate risk prediction difficult

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness or naturalization (with the possible exception of American Samoa), 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