issg Database: Management and Information Links for Livistona chinensis

Livistona chinensis (palm)

Ecology Distribution Management
Info Impact
Info References
and Links Contacts

         Interim profile, incomplete information
         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.

         Location Specific Management Information
Bermuda
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.
The following characteristics can be used to distinguish the Chinese fan palm from the endemic Bermuda palmetto. Fan palms have thorns and the Bermuda palmetto do not. The fan palm has a uniformly green leaf, hard oval grey-blue berries and the leaf meets the stem in a 'C' shape when viewed from above, in the case of the palmetto, the berries are round and green and the leaf meets the stem in a 'V'. Juvenile of the species are difficult to distinguish from each other, the parent nearby will provide the clue. The Department of Conservation Services has issues a poster to distinguish the introduced Chinese fan palm from the endemic Bermuda palmetto (Department of Conservation Services, Government of Bermuda 2009).
Florida (USA)
The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) lists the Chinese fan palm as a '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.".

         Management Resources/Links

1. Department of Conservation Services, Government of Bermuda, 2009. Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis)
        Summary: Available from: http://www.conservation.bm/chinese-fan-palm/ [Accessed 26 July 2010]
2. IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)., 2010. A Compilation of Information Sources for Conservation Managers.
        Summary: This compilation of information sources can be sorted on keywords for example: Baits & Lures, Non Target Species, Eradication, Monitoring, Risk Assessment, Weeds, Herbicides etc. This compilation is at present in Excel format, this will be web-enabled as a searchable database shortly. This version of the database has been developed by the IUCN SSC ISSG as part of an Overseas Territories Environmental Programme funded project XOT603 in partnership with the Cayman Islands Government - Department of Environment. The compilation is a work under progress, the ISSG will manage, maintain and enhance the database with current and newly published information, reports, journal articles etc.
3. Meyer, Jean-Yves, Christophe Levergne and Donald R. Hodel, 2008. Time Bombs in Gardens: Invasive Ornamental Palms in Tropical Islands, with Emphasis on French Polynesia (Pacific Ocean) and the Mascarenes (Indian Ocean) Palms Vol. 52(2) 23–35 2008
        Summary: Available from: http://li-an.fr/jyves/Meyer_et_al._2008_Palms.pdf [Accessed 26 July 2010]
4. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER), 2005. Risk Assessment: Livistona chinensis (Jacq.) R.Br. ex Mart., Arecaceae
        Summary: Available from: http://www.hear.org/pier/wra/pacific/livistona_chinensis_htmlwra.htm [Accessed 26 July 2010]
5. The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC), 2009. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s 2009 List of Invasive Plant Species
        Summary: Available from: http://www.fleppc.org/list/List-WW-F09-final.pdf [Accessed 26 July 2010]
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The Global Invasive Species Database is managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. It was developed as part of the global initiative on invasive species led by the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) and is supported through partnerships with the National Biological Information Infrastructure, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research and the University of Auckland. Conditions of use.