Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Livistona chinensis (Jacq.) R. Br. ex Mart.; Chinese fan palm, fountain palm Synonyms: Latania chinensis Jacq. [basionym] Livistona oliviformis (Hassk.) Mart. Variety: Livistona chinensis (Jacq.) R. Br. ex Mart. var. subglobosa (Hassk.) Becc.Synonyms:Livistona subglobosa (Hassk.) Mart. Saribus subglobosus Hassk.

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

y

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

n

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

y

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

y

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

y

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

y

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

y

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

5

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

n

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

n

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

5

Notes

Source

1.01

no evidence

1.02

"L. chinensis has escaped from cultivation and is sparingly naturalized in at least Florida and Hawai'i (Butts 1959, FLEPPC 1999, Wagner et al. 1999). "

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/livistona_chinensis.htm

1.03

no evidence

2.01

Native Habitat: Southern Japan, China; Hardiness Range 9B to 11

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

2.02

2.03

(1)Hardiness Range 9B to 11 (2)They have survived temperatures as low as 15 degrees; They are tough enough to survive hot city conditions (3)Its wide area of adaptivity, of course as you might imagine, is indicative of a palm that is basically "happy" in some rather diverse climates, including those with bountiful rainfall, or in those regions of rather scanty yearly rains. It takes heat like can be found in the Persian Gulf Region where 45 degrees C. is not uncommon, but can also thrive at 0 degrees C.(4)Raphiolepsis-Livistona dry forest is found on dry, rocky slopes where there are few clouds. The fan palm Livistona chinensis var. bonensis is a second dominant [tolerates some drought]

(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/L/livi_chi.cfm (3)http://palmdoctor.com/Palm_0f_The_Month/Livistona_chinensis.htm (4)http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/oc/oc0109_full.html

2.04

Distributional range:
Native:
ASIA-TEMPERATE
China: China [s.]
Eastern Asia: Japan - Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku; Taiwan

USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN)
[Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Livistona+chinensis (28 January 2004)

2.05

"Livistona chinensis is a single stemmed fan palm native to Japan and China that is cultivated worldwide in tropical and temperate climates. "

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/livistona_chinensis.htm

3.01

"L. chinensis has escaped from cultivation and is sparingly naturalized in at least Florida and Hawai'i (Butts 1959, FLEPPC 1999, Wagner et al. 1999). On Maui, L. chinensis is commonly cultivated in residential areas and is naturalized near Iao, West Maui and from Ha'iku to Hana, East Maui. L. chinensis spreads from initial plantings to nearby areas and is especially prolific in moist windward areas where numerous seedlings are often observed in ditches, water ways, stream beds, gulches, and shady understory of disturbed secondary forests. Control of this ornamental palm on Maui is probably not feasible due to the widespread distribution. Perhaps it could be discouraged from being further planted in moist areas and controlled if it were detected in natural areas.""

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/livistona_chinensis.htm

3.02

no evidence

3.03

no evidence

3.04

(1)FLEPPC Catgetory II Invasive plant -- Invasive exotics that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species. These species may become ranked Category I, if ecological damage is demonstrated.[could not find any documentation on behavior in Florida] (2)Descibed as a rare escape from cultivation in Florida (3)Invasive potential: little invasive potential [in Florida]

(1)http://www.fleppc.org/Plantlist/03list.htm (2)Wunderlin, R.P. 1998. Guide to the vascular plants of Florida. University press of Florida, Gainesville. (3)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST365

3.05

no evidence

4.01

"The leaf stem is as long as the blade an d in the lower half bears stout, brown spines to 0.25 inch long; or teech in old plants"

Neal, M.C. (1965) In Gardens of Hawaii. Bernice p. Bishop Museum Special Publicatio 50. Bishop Museeum Press, Honolulu. 924pp. p.95

4.02

no evidence

4.03

no evidence

4.04

a tall single-trunked palm with armed petioles [older plants probably largely unpalatable, but don't know about young plants]

4.05

no evidence

4.06

[Lethal yellowing is a recognized disease attacking economically important species within plam family]
"AB: Five Eco RI restriction fragments consisting of chromosomal DNA of the mycoplasma-like organism (MLO) associated with lethal yellowing (LY) disease of Manila palm (Veitchia merrillii ) in Florida were cloned and identified. In addition to Manila palms, probes detected the presence of LY MLO DNA in DNA samples extracted from heart tissues of LY-diseased true date (Phoenix dactylifera ), cliff date (P. rupicola ), Chinese fan (Livistona chinensis ), and 5 coconut (Cocos nucifera ) palm cultivars. Probes also hybridized to DNA from symptomatic Caryota rumphiana and L. rotundifolia, 2 palm species previously not known to be affected by LY disease. "
(2) AB: "At Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in October-November 1969, larvae of Pelopidas (Parnara) mathias (F.) were found for the first time on the garden fan palm (Livistona chinensis). This is a newly recorded alternative food-plant to rice, of which the Hesperi

(1) Harrison, N. A.; Bourne, C. M.; Cox, R. L.; Tsai, J. H.; Richardson, P. A. (1992) DNA probes for detection of mycoplasmalike organisms associated with lethal yellowing disease of palms in Florida. Phytopathology, 1992, Vol.82, No.2, pp.216-224, 47 ref.
(2) Odak, S. C.; Dhamdhere, S. V. (1970) Record of a new alternate host plant of Parnara mathias Fabricius. Indian Journal of Entomology, 1970, Vol.32, No.4, p.397, 1 ref.

4.07

no evidence

4.08

(1) Highly flammable
(2) p.65 "a small area of the eastern zone where the soil surface was covered with dead palm leaves." [flammable leaves could accumulate on the ground]

(1) Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.
(2) Ehara, H.; Dowe, J. L.; Nagatomo, R.; Kawasaki, A. (2002) Livistona chinensis var. subglobosa on Aoshima, Japan. Palms, 2002, Vol.46, No.2, pp.62-67, 11 ref.

4.09

(1)"Tolerant of full sun, young specimens of Chinese Fan Palm should be partially shaded.; Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun" (2)interiorscapes - especially in shopping malls.

(1)Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7. (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/L/livi_chi.cfm

4.1

"Any reasonably fertile, well-drained soil, including alkaline, is suitable"; Soil Condition Loamy, sandy, clay, acidic, neutral, alkaline, tolerates some salt, somewhat drought tolerant

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

4.11

tall, single-trunked palm

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

4.12

[regenerate and dominant in natural habitat]
AB: This paper describes the habitat, distribution, dispersal, and aerial branching of Livistona chinensis var. subglubosa which occurs in subtropical woodlands and littoral forests and is a dominant species of the flora of Aoshima, Japan, the northern limit of the range of natural regeneration.

Ehara, H.; Dowe, J. L.; Nagatomo, R.; Kawasaki, A. (2002) Livistona chinensis var. subglobosa on Aoshima, Japan. Palms, 2002, Vol.46, No.2, pp.62-67, 11 ref.

5.01

p.63 "It occurs in subtropical woodland and littoral forest."

Ehara, H.; Dowe, J. L.; Nagatomo, R.; Kawasaki, A. (2002) Livistona chinensis var. subglobosa on Aoshima, Japan. Palms, 2002, Vol.46, No.2, pp.62-67, 11 ref.

5.02

palm; Arecaceae

5.03

no evidence

5.04

palm

6.01

[regenerate and dominant in natural habitat]
AB: This paper describes the habitat, distribution, dispersal, and aerial branching of Livistona chinensis var. subglubosa which occurs in subtropical woodlands and littoral forests and is a dominant species of the flora of Aoshima, Japan, the northern limit of the range of natural regeneration.

Ehara, H.; Dowe, J. L.; Nagatomo, R.; Kawasaki, A. (2002) Livistona chinensis var. subglobosa on Aoshima, Japan. Palms, 2002, Vol.46, No.2, pp.62-67, 11 ref.

6.02

(1) p.65 "It have been observed that flowering and fruiting has not occurred for several years on any part of the islet. Regeneration was observed on most part of the islet, although young plants and seedlings were completely absent from a small area of the eastern zone where the soil surface was covered with dead palm leaves."
(2) AB: "According to their germination capacity, the species were grouped into 3 categories: species with rapid germination (Washingtonia filifera , Livistona chinensis , Phoenix canariensis and C. humilis ), intermediate germination (Trachycarpus fortunei and Sabal sp.), and species showing germination difficulties (Sabal minor , Syagrus romanzoffiana [Arecastrum romanzoffianum ], Erythea armata and E. edulis [Brahea edulis ]). "[readily germinate]

(1) Ehara, H.; Dowe, J. L.; Nagatomo, R.; Kawasaki, A. (2002) Livistona chinensis var. subglobosa on Aoshima, Japan. Palms, 2002, Vol.46, No.2, pp.62-67, 11 ref.
(2) Chatty, Y.; Tissaoui, T. (1999) Effect of temperature on germination of ornamental palm trees in Tunisia. ED: Caballero Ruano, M. Acta Horticulturae, 1999, No.486, pp.165-167, 6 ref.

6.03

no evidence (1)Re: Livistona chinensis x decipiens
CFPACS Discussion
From: Dave, Orlando
Category: General Questions
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2004
Time: 03:26 PM -0500
Comments
it's sorta one of those deals where once you see it you'll recognize it for sure. That pic of Eric's is hard to discern the details, up close the leaflets are much wider than decipiens but divided to within a few inches of the hastula like decipiens. The hybrids I've observed resemble decipiens but with wider leaflets of chinensis as well as the latter's lighter foliage color, not the more dark green of decipiens. Of course the hybrids will be variable and it may depend on which species was the donor & vice versa as to what you get. On a kind of sad note the entire Liv genus is evolving towards dioecism so various hybrids will become more common in the future, especially in cultivation when planted near one another.
(2)Re: Livistona chinensis x decipiens
CFPACS Discussion
From: Eric Schmidt
Category: General Questions
Date: Thursday

(1)http://www.plantapalm.com/centralfl/_disc1/0000123c.htm (2)http://www.plantapalm.com/centralfl/_disc1/0000123e.htm

6.04

no evidence

6.05

no evidence of adaptation to specialist pollinators. "Flowers pale yellow, in clusters of up to 6, inflorescences up to 1 m or more long, of several branches along a single main rachis, each 2-3 times divided into rachillae, bracts brown tomentose. "

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/livistona_chinensis.htm

6.06

no evidence

6.07

(1)Slow growing (2)Fruits at 5-7 years of age

(1)http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Palm/Livistona_chinensis.html (2) http://palmdoctor.com/Palm_0f_The_Month/Livistona_chinensis.htm

7.01

"Fruit bluish green to bright green, darker with age, ellipsoid to sublobose or pyriform, 1.5-2.6 cm long, 0.9-1.8 cm in diameter." (Wagner et al. 1999)." [Probably not, large fruit.]

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/livistona_chinensis.htm

7.02

"Livistona chinensis is a single stemmed fan palm native to Japan and China that is cultivated worldwide in tropical and temperate climates. "

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/livistona_chinensis.htm

7.03

"Fruit bluish green to bright green, darker with age, ellipsoid to sublobose or pyriform, 1.5-2.6 cm long, 0.9-1.8 cm in diameter." (Wagner et al. 1999)." [Probably not, large fruit.]

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/livistona_chinensis.htm

7.04

"Fruit bluish green to bright green, darker with age, ellipsoid to sublobose or pyriform, 1.5-2.6 cm long, 0.9-1.8 cm in diameter." (Wagner et al. 1999)."

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/livistona_chinensis.htm

7.05

p.65 "a primary experiment on seed germination in L. chinese, and found that seed germinatioed even after having been soaked in seawater for 60 days. Although detailed data of germination experiment are not available, their primilinary result support Honda's hypothesis of a southern origin of assisted by nowthward tidal current." [a coastal plant able to germinate after soaking in sea water]

Ehara, H.; Dowe, J. L.; Nagatomo, R.; Kawasaki, A. (2002) Livistona chinensis var. subglobosa on Aoshima, Japan. Palms, 2002, Vol.46, No.2, pp.62-67, 11 ref.

7.06

(2) "Fruit bluish green to bright green, darker with age, ellipsoid to sublobose or pyriform, 1.5-2.6 cm long, 0.9-1.8 cm in diameter." (Wagner et al. 1999)." (3)Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife;(4) Birds love feeding on seed inflorescence [birds feed on flowers(?)] (5)Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife [with fleshy fruit but no direct evidence of being feeded by birds]

(2) http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/livistona_chinensis.htm (3)http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/LIVCHIA.pdf (4)http://www.tradeaplant.com.au/WhatPlant/ItemDetail.asp?WhatPlantIsThatID=62 (5)http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST365

7.07

no means of attachment [potentially cached by rodents?]

7.08

no evidence of ingestion -might be bird-dispersed

8.01

. "Fruit bluish green to bright green, darker with age, ellipsoid to sublobose or pyriform, 1.5-2.6 cm long, 0.9-1.8 cm in diameter." (Wagner et al. 1999)." [large single seed fruit but very heavy production based on photos [e.g. http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/leisure/LP/gc/plantphoto/image/palm/lich05w.jpg] -- appears to be a borderline case approaching 1000 /m2]

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/livistona_chinensis.htm

8.02

(1) AB: "According to their germination capacity, the species were grouped into 3 categories: species with rapid germination (Washingtonia filifera , Livistona chinensis , Phoenix canariensis and C. humilis ), intermediate germination (Trachycarpus fortunei and Sabal sp.), and species showing germination difficulties (Sabal minor , Syagrus romanzoffiana [Arecastrum romanzoffianum ], Erythea armata and E. edulis [Brahea edulis ]). " (2)Seed germinates in 2-6 months.

(1) Chatty, Y.; Tissaoui, T. (1999) Effect of temperature on germination of ornamental palm trees in Tunisia. ED: Caballero Ruano, M. Acta Horticulturae, 1999, No.486, pp.165-167, 6 ref. (2)http://www.texasgardencenter.com/livistona_chinensis.htm

8.03

spray Garlon 4 into the apical bud.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WG209

8.04

"The root system tends to be slow to develop on these young palms.", "palm, usually has one trunk" [palm killed by lopping apical meristem]

Horticopia A-Z.Horticopia, Inc., Purcellville, VA. ISBN 1-887215-07-7.

8.05

Probably not, population spreads on Maui. "L. chinensis has escaped from cultivation and is sparingly naturalized in at least Florida and Hawai'i (Butts 1959, FLEPPC 1999, Wagner et al. 1999). On Maui, L. chinensis is commonly cultivated in residential areas and is naturalized near Iao, West Maui and from Ha'iku to Hana, East Maui. L. chinensis spreads from initial plantings to nearby areas and is especially prolific in moist windward areas where numerous seedlings are often observed in ditches, water ways, stream beds, gulches, and shady understory of disturbed secondary forests. Control of this ornamental palm on Maui is probably not feasible due to the widespread distribution. Perhaps it could be discouraged from being further planted in moist areas and controlled if it were detected in natural areas."

http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/reports/html/livistona_chinensis.htm