Family: Cyatheaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives in tropical climates
- A fast-growing, pioneer species, capable of rapidly colonizing landslides and cleared areas
- Other Cyathea species are invasive
- Forms dense cover within native range
- Reproduces by millions of wind-dispersed spores
- Hybridizes with other species
- Self-fertile gametophytes
- Reaches maturity in 2 years
- Spores dispersed by wind and water, and intentionally cultivated
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Chemical and mechanical control of other invasive Cyathea species may be effective if needed to control C. arborea