Family: Marantaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Stromanthe tonckat is native to Trinidad and from southern Mexico through tropical South America. It is a striking understory plant in the Marantaceae family, valued for its ornamental foliage. The plant typically forms lush clumps of broad, lance-shaped leaves with attractive variegation or patterned upper surfaces and richly colored undersides. In tropical landscapes and interiorscapes, it is commonly used as a decorative foliage plant for shaded gardens, borders, and container plantings where its bold leaf patterns can be appreciated.

Risks & Threats
On Oʻahu, Stromanthe tonckat is now naturalized, indicating it is reproducing and persisting outside of cultivation. As a non-native ornamental with vigorous growth and clumping habit, it possesses traits that are cause for concern in Hawaiʻi’s tropical island ecosystems, where escaped ornamentals can spread into moist forest understories and displace native vegetation. While its full ecological impact is still being evaluated, its naturalization suggests potential for further spread under favorable conditions. This species could detrimentally impact sensitive ecosystems by contributing to understory plant competition and habitat alteration. Where possible, choosing a low-risk or native alternative is recommended. In areas where it is already established, management and avoiding further planting can help limit additional spread and reduce long-term ecological impacts.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in Lyon Arboretum, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands; considered weedy in garden
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Broad elevation range
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Bird-dispersed seeds
  
• Reproduces vegetatively from rhizomes

Low Risk Traits:

• Potential ornamental value
  
• Unarmed
  
• No toxic properties reported