Family: Arecaceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Livistona saribus (taraw palm, serdang) is a fan palm native to Indo-China through western and central Malesia, where it grows in lowland to upland tropical forests. It is a striking, single-trunked palm that can reach substantial height, with large, circular fan-shaped leaves that are deeply divided into segments. The leaf stems often bear sharp spines, and mature plants may produce clusters of small, bluish to black fruits. Because of its bold tropical appearance and architectural form, it is sometimes used as an ornamental palm in landscapes and botanical collections.
Risks & Threats
Although Livistona saribus is not known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it possesses traits that are cause for ongoing evaluation and concern. Its fruits may be consumed and dispersed by birds or other wildlife, and its tolerance of a range of light conditions could allow it to establish beyond planted areas in suitable habitats. Like some other ornamental fan palms, it has the potential to persist and spread slowly over time if conditions are favorable, especially in disturbed or forest-edge environments. Given these traits, caution is recommended, and continued monitoring is important to ensure it does not become invasive or negatively affect Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- Native to tropical region
- Another species in the genus is invasive in Florida
- Has spines
- Tolerates shade when young
- Bird dispersal
- Water dispersal
- Human dispersal as an ornamental, landscape plant
Low Risk Traits:
- Not naturalized
- Not known as invasive
- Non-toxic
- Slow growth rate
