Pritchardia hardyi

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Pritchardia (pritch-AHR-dee-uh)
hardyi (hard'-ee)
Maui-nui-11-15-06-pritchardia-hardyi.jpg
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. Kahului, Maui, Hawai'i. Photo by Bill Chang
Scientific Classification
Genus: Pritchardia (pritch-AHR-dee-uh)
Species:
hardyi (hard'-ee)
Synonyms
Old name; Pritchardia weissichiana
Native Continent
America
America.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Costapalmate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Hawaiian; Hāwane, Loulu, Noulu, Wāhane. Hardy's Loulu, Makaleha Pritchardia.

Habitat and Distribution

Hawaii. Wet forest beiow the Waialeale massif near and along the Power Line Trail in
Hawaii at the NTGB. Photo by Kyle Wicomb
east central Kauai, 500-750 m elevation. Hardy's loulu is found from wet to very wet forests below and east of Waiʻaleʻale to just south of Līhuʻe side in eastern Kauaʻi in the Līhuʻe-Kōloa, and probably Keālia, Forest Reserves from 1600 to 2300 feet in elevation. ("Loulu: The Hawaiian Palm", pages 1, 86, 90, 91.)

Description

To 10 m tall; proximal margins of petiole with only a few fibers; leaf blade flat, divided 1/2, abaxial surface completely covered with lepidia and appearing silvery grayish white, segment lips stiff; inflorescences composed of 2-5 panicles, equaling or exceeding leaf blades in flower, greatly exceeding leaf biades in fruit, panicles branched to 2 or 3 orders, rachillae clothed with dense, felt-iike indumentum or glabrous; fruits 20-35 x 15-16 mm, ellipsoid to obovoid. (iucn.org) Editing by edric.

Pritchardia hardyi is distinctive in its leaf blades completely covered abaxially with lepidia, inflorescences equaling to exceeding the leaf blades in flowers and exceeding them in fruit, and small fruits. It is similar to P. viscosa but the latter differs in its viscous panicles and inflorescences shorter than the petioles. The photograph of P. hardyi in Beccari and Rock (1921, PI. XlII A) actually depicts P. waialealeana. (iucn.org)

Culture

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"Apply a complete palm fertilizer with minor elements as directed on label. Be certain that sufficient magnesium and potassium is present in the fertilizer component. This is especially critical for loulus in pots. Magnesium and potassium deficiencies are two of the most serious nutritional disorders in palms. The deficiencies are characterized by bright yellowing (chlorotic) on leaf edges or streaking or the entire fronds yellowing. This can be difficult to reverse. Applications of Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), is good but does not last and is usually washed out of the soil in rainy periods. There are some very good slow release fertilizer spikes made for especially for palms on the market which contain a good balance of minor elements with magnesium and potassium. [2,3] Potted or younger loulu planted in the ground appreciate a foliar feeding of kelp or fish emulsion and Epsom salt monthly or bi-monthly. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi." (Encyclopedia of Life curator Dr. David Eickhoff)

Loulu are prone to leaf rollers, red spider mites and sugar cane borers. Rats will eat its fruit. (Encyclopedia of Life curator Dr. David Eickhoff)

Pritchardia hardyi is an easy to grow palm but not often available for the landscape. Pritchardia hardyi vary in shape. Specimens raised in dry and/or infertile soils tend to be smaller in stature with smaller leaves. Light also affects the plant's form while those grown in full sun are more compact. This palm prefers a sunny, well drained, and moist location. Growth rate: It is a slow growing, short stocky palm. Soil: It likes organic soil, but is adaptable to clay and loam bolth slightly alkaline and acidic. Good drainage is also important. Fertilization: Need a perfect fertilizer diet including all micro nutrients and trace elements or slow release fertilizer. Micro-nutrient deficiencies are occasional problems. If it doesn't get enough Mn and Fe (Iron), the leaves take on a rather unhealthy yellow colour. Micro-nutrient deficiencies only show up on soil with a high pH. Fertilize often for faster growth. Water Requirements: Needs regular water, do not let dry out between waterings. however it does not want to sit in continually wet, mucky soil. The roots and lower trunk can rot if soil is kept too moist. Light: Prefers full sun but will tolerate half day sun. Hardiness: It is adapted to tropical and subtropical climates, young plants are more cold sensitive. Maintenance: Remove dead fronds and spent fruiting stalks for a clean landscape appearance. Fronds can be left on the palm to form a skirt for natural settings. Palms recycle nutrients from dead or dying fronds and use them for healthier fronds. Palms only have a set number of new leaves that can sprout and grow per year and removing fronds will not increase that number. If you cut off more than what will grow annually, you could be left with a pretty bare and bald palm. Pest & Disease: Mealybugs and whiteflies underneath the leaves can present problems at times if not kept in check. A generous spray of water can wash them off. Ornamental: It is cultivated as an ornamental tree, and planted in gardens and parks in tropical and sub-tropical climates either as a single specimen or in groups. Culture in containers is possible although growth rates are slower. A bright patio will provide an excellent environment for young specimens which can eventually be planted in a sunny location. (llifle.com)

Comments and Curiosities

Etymology: Pritchardia name is dedicated to William Thomas Pritchard (1829-1907), British official stationed in Fiji in the 19th Century, British counsul in Fiji, adventurer, and author of Polynesian Reminiscences in 1866. The specific epithet hardyi is named for W. H. Hardy. ("Loulu: The Hawaiian Palm", pages 1, 86, 90, 91.)

Conservation: Critically Endangered, Found along the Powerline Trail on Kauai Island. Only 30 individuals are known in the wild and regeneration is limited. (ICUN Redlist 1998.)

A smaller species from wet forest on Kauai that reaches a height of about 6 m (20 ft.), with a slender trunk to 20 cm (8 in.) in diameter. The rigid leaves have silvery undersides and the leafbases have curious, upright fibers. Seeds are oblong. (RPS.com)

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"Pritchardia hardyi grows in wet rain forest at elevations below 2000 feet. The epithet is a Latinized form of the surname “Hardy” which commemorates the original collector. The trunk of this species grows to a height of 80 feet or more; it is 1 foot in diameter. The leaf crown is spherical or nearly so, and the stiff 3 foot-wide leaves are large semicircles of dark green; the underleaf displays a golden tomentum. The leaves are flat and the costa does not extend much into the blade; they tend to fold in down both sides of the blade as they age. The inflorescences are long and extend well out of the crown. The fruit are medium to small ellipsoid to obovoid and purplish black in color. This fast growing species is among the finest looking palms in the genus. They are distributed in wet forest on the slopes of Mount Waialeale near and along the Power Line Trail in east central Kauai at elevations of 1500 to 2500 feet." (Bill Chang)



  • IMAGE GALLERY

  • Hawaii at the NTGB. Photo by Kyle Wicomb

  • Hawaii at the NTGB. Photo by Kyle Wicomb

  • Hawaii at the NTGB. Photo by Kyle Wicomb

  • Hawaii at the NTGB. Photo by Kyle Wicomb

  • Hawaii, Kauai (Hawaiian Islands), US. Photo by Encyclopedia of Life curator Dr. David Eickhoff

  • Hawaii, Kauai (Hawaiian Islands), US. Photo by Encyclopedia of Life curator Dr. David Eickhoff

  • Hawaii, Kauai (Hawaiian Islands), US. Photo by Encyclopedia of Life curator Dr. David Eickhoff

  • Hawaii, Kauai (Hawaiian Islands), US. Photo by Encyclopedia of Life curator Dr. David Eickhoff

  • Hawaii, Kauai (Hawaiian Islands), US. Photo by Encyclopedia of Life curator Dr. David Eickhoff

  • Hawaii, Kauai (Hawaiian Islands), US. Photo by Encyclopedia of Life curator Dr. David Eickhoff

  • Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. Kahului, Maui, Hawai'i. Photo by Bill Chang

  • Wahiawa Botanical Garden, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Photo by Bill Chang

  • Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Oahu, Hawaii. Photo by Dr. Drew Avery

  • Kauai, Hawaii. Photo by Steve Rohrmayr

  • Kauai, Hawaii. Photo by Steve Rohrmayr

  • Kauai, Hawaii. Photo by Steve Rohrmayr

  • Kauai, Hawaii. Photo by Steve Rohrmayr

  • Kauai, Hawaii. Photo by Steve Rohrmayr

  • Photo-Rare Palm Seeds.com

External Links

References

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.

Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos.

Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).


Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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