Family: Arecaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Reported to be naturalized
- Genus has "weedy" traits that may contribute to its ability to become invasive
- Tolerates many soil types
- Forms thickets in native range
- Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
Low Risk Traits:
- Despite naturalization, no reports of detrimental impacts found
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Ornamental
- Leaves used to weave hats and baskets
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Slow growing and long time to reproductive maturity
- Will not resprout after cutting or fire