Family: Arecaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in Thailand, and possibly other locations, but area of origin not well defined
  
• Petioles very stout and spiny
  
• Young fruits used as a fish poison (possible toxic effects to other animals?)
  
• Potential host of coconut rhinoceros beetle and other palm pests
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• May have formed natural dense stands
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals, flowing water and intentionally by people
  
• Produces millions of flowers and potentially large numbers of seeds
  
• Tree dies after reaching maturity (drawback in landscaping)
  
• Limited ecological information makes accurate risk prediction difficult

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness or detrimental impacts, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
  
• Multiple uses, including ornamental and food
  
• Reaches maturity after 30-40 years
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively