Family: Arecaceae

 

Livistona chinensis (Chinese fan palm, Chinese fountain palm) is a palm native to southern Japan, Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands, southeastern China and Hainan. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used as an anticancer agent. The leaves are used for making fans. The plant is used in the making of rain hats, coats, and brooms. The fibers from the petiole can be used to make cordage. 

It is reported to be an invasive species in Bermuda, Florida wetlands, Mauritius, Reunion and New Caledonia. It is also naturalized on the islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Maui. Livistona chinensis has been shown to be aggressive and weedy at places such as Lyon Arboretum on Oʻahu. It can also host lethal yellowing disease which attacks and kills palms. This tree enjoys shady environments, is broadly adaptable and grows in dense thickets; all of which pose problems for Hawaiʻi’s ecosystem.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability
  
• Grows, and capable of spreading in regions with tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai, Oahu, and Maui (Hawaiian Islands) and elsewhere
  
• An aggressive, weedy tree in Lyon Arboretum, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands
  
• An environmental weed in Bermuda, and potentially elsewhere
  
• Other Livistona species have naturalized and may be invasive
  
• Petioles armed with spines
  
• Host of lethal yellowing disease
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Capable of forming dense thickets
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Capable of autogamy, or self-fertilization
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals, water, and intentionally by people

Low Risk Traits:

• Non-toxic
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Reaches maturity in 5-7 years, or longer
  
• Relatively large fruit and seeds, and size of frugivorous birds in the Hawaiian Islands, may limit long distance dispersal
  
• Recalcitrant seeds will not form a persistent, long-lived seed bank
  
• Mechanical and chemical control methods may be effective