Family: Myrtaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Xanthostemon chrysanthus, commonly known as golden penda, is a striking evergreen tree native to northern and northeastern Queensland, Australia. It is widely admired for its dense canopy of glossy green leaves and spectacular clusters of bright golden-yellow flowers that bloom over an extended season, attracting bees, butterflies, and nectar-feeding birds. Typically growing 20–40 feet tall in cultivation, golden penda is well suited to tropical and subtropical climates and is commonly planted as a specimen tree, shade tree, street tree, or ornamental in parks and large gardens. Its attractive flowers, tidy growth habit, and tolerance of heat and humidity have made it a popular landscape tree in warm regions around the world.

Risks & Threats
Golden penda is considered a low-risk species for Hawaiʻi. It has not demonstrated invasive behavior and there is little evidence that it spreads aggressively outside cultivation. Although its flowers produce abundant seeds, seedlings are generally uncommon and the species has not been associated with significant impacts on native ecosystems or agricultural areas. As with any non-native plant, it should be planted responsibly and monitored for unexpected spread, but current evidence indicates that Xanthostemon chrysanthus poses a low risk of becoming invasive in Hawaiʻi and is an appropriate choice for ornamental landscaping when properly managed.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Host of Austropuccinia psidii, but this fungal pathogen already has a broad host range in the Hawaiian Islands
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Reaches maturity in 2-3 years
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, probably water (common in riparian areas) and intentionally by people
  
• Tolerates pruning and fire
  
• Gaps in biological and ecological information may reduce accuracy of risk prediction

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively