Loulu   Pritchardia sp

Family: Arecacea

Description:  Pritchardia is the name of the genus which comprises the only native palms to Hawaii.  There are species which grow throughout the state in a wide variety of environments.  Some reach heights of 50 feet while others stay small.  They all have a columnar trunks with fan like leaves.  The seeds in the wild may be eaten by rats.  Because these palms easily hybridize with other non-native Pritchardias, claiming a specific species requires seed collection from wild populations.  Though they may be slow growing while young, once established, they will surprise you.  Some speculate that loulu used to cover large areas of low and mid elevation forests.  Now, healthy groves are hard to find. A beautiful specimen plant, loulu deserves to be planted as it is our only native palm.

(Pritchardia sp in a botanical garden)

(Loulu palm in 3 gallon pot, 4 years old, Pritchardia forbesiana)

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