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Interim profile, incomplete information Taxonomic name: Livistona chinensis (Jacq.) R. Br. Ex Mart. Synonyms: Latania chinensis Jacq., Livistona oliviformis (Hassk.) Mart., Livistona subglobosa (Hassk.) Mart., Saribus oliviformis Hassk. Common names: Chinese fan palm, Chinese fountain palm, falsa-latânia (Portuguese), fountain palm, palmeira-leque-da-china (Portuguese), palmier évantail de Chine (French) Organism type: palm The Chinese fan palm, Livistona chinensis is a single stemmed fan palm native to Japan and China that is cultivated worldwide in tropical and temperate climates as an ornamental. Their introduced range includes Bermuda, the Mascarene Islands, Florida, Hawaii and New Caledonia where they have naturalised. In Bermuda thickets of fan palms can be seen beside roads where seeds have dropped and germinated, these thickets can crowd out native species and overshadow them. In Hawaii they have been seen growing in ditches, stream-beds and understory of disturbed secondary forests. They are also reported to be growing in riparian areas in New Caledonia. Occurs in: natural forests, planted forests, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, urban areas General impacts Fan palms are naturalised in Bermuda and thickets of palms can be found along roadsides. The berries produced by the palms fall to the ground around the base of the tree and germinate. Seedlings grow to eventually form thickets. These thickets can crowd out and overshadow native species. Chinese fan palms are similar to and are often mistaken for the endemic Bermuda palmetto (Sabal bermudana). Geographical range Native range: Temperate Asia: China, Japan - Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku; Taiwan (USDA-ARS, 2010) Known introduced range: Bermuda (Department of Conservation Services 2009); New Caledonia, Mauritius, Reunion islands (Meyer et al 2008); Florida and Hawaii (USDA-NRCS, 2010); Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Nauru, French Polynesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Palau, Wallis and Futuna (PIER, 2010) Introduction pathways to new locations For ornamental purposes: The Chinese fan palm has been introduced widely as an ornamental tree for gardens Management information The Department of Conservation Services, Government of Bermuda suggests the following options for the control and management of the Chinese fan palm. Fan palms have thorns so gloves need to be used, young seedlings can be pulled out easily but not larger saplings. Re-growth can occur if it breaks and bits are left in the ground. Mature palms can be removed using a machete or bow saw. As the trunk is fibrous the chainsaw can get clogged frequently while working it. The centre of the stump needs to be destroyed. The herbicide 'Roundup’ can be used to brush the stump to prevent re-growth. Compiled by: IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) with support from the Overseas Territories Environmental Programme (OTEP) project XOT603, a joint project with the Cayman Islands Government - Department of Environment To contribute information, please contact Shyama Pagad. Last Modified: Tuesday, 8 June 2010