Family: Arecaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Licuala spinosa (mangrove fan palm) is native to a wide region extending from Bangladesh through Southeast Asia to the Philippines. It is a clustering palm typically found in coastal swamps, riverbanks, and lowland tropical forests. The plant is recognized for its striking fan-shaped leaves that are deeply divided into slender segments, giving it a distinctive, ornamental appearance. In landscaping, it is often used as a decorative understory palm in tropical gardens, valued for its lush foliage, moderate size, and tolerance of wet conditions. In some regions within its native range, parts of the plant have also been used locally for thatching or minor craft purposes.

Risks & Threats:
In Hawaiʻi, Licuala spinosa is naturalized on Oʻahu and is spreading outside of cultivation. While attractive in landscapes, it possesses traits that are cause for concern, including its ability to establish in wet, shaded environments and form dense clumps that may compete with native vegetation. As a naturalized species, it could potentially expand into sensitive lowland and wet forest ecosystems, where it may alter understory structure and reduce habitat quality for native plants. Given these risks and its demonstrated ability to persist in the wild, this species could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems over time. Choosing a low-risk or native alternative is recommended to help protect Hawaiʻi’s unique biodiversity.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in French Polynesia
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Armed toward the base with small, curved teeth
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Fleshy-fruited with bird-dispersed seeds

Low Risk Traits:

• Non-toxic
  
• Requires shade, moisture, and high humidity (will not thrive in all habitat types)
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value
  
• Slow-growing and small-statured