Pritchardia vuylstekeana
Pritchardia (pritch-AHR-dee-ah) vuylstekeana (vool-stehk-eh-AHN-ah) | |||||||
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Contents
Habitat and Distribution
Pritchardia vuylstekeana is endemic to Tuamotu Islands.Description
This binomial has a history similar to that of Pritchardia pericularum. It first appeared as a name only (Rev. Hort. 55: 206. 1883) in a discussion of plants that Vuylsteke had exhibited at the Exposition Internationale de la Societe Royale d'Agriculture et de Botanique de Gand in 1883. The binomial may have also appeared in Vuylsteke's nursery catalogs or seed lists of the same era, although a search of the available catalogs failed to reveal the name. The binomial was again listed as a name only (Gard. Chron. 109: 693. 1883) in a discussion of plants that Vuylsteke had presented at the Paris Exhibition in 1883. In that account, an illustration proVided by Vuylsteke of a juvenile plant accompanied the article. early simultaneously, Andre (Rev. Hort. 55: 329. f. 59. 1883), reporting on the 1883 Gand (Ghent) expOSition, proVided a more lengthy account of Pritchardia vuylstekeana in which, quoting directly from a letter or other information that Wendland had written, appeared the name and a description of the fruits, seeds and (very briefly) a leaf from a young plant. Thus, the name and description were formally validated and are attributed to Wendland. Also, the same illustration that appeared in The Gardeners' Chronicle was reproduced in Andre's article. As no type was designated, it is accepted as the holotype. Andre gave additional, general information about the plant, which he had seen at Ghent, and commented on its suitability as a horticultural subject for European stovehouses. He also provided information (probably from Vuylsteke) about the habitat of this species in the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. He stated that the seeds were collected from a low, uninhabited island with no prior European contact that, because of rocky cliffs, was nearly inaccessible and so difficult to land upon that many boats had crashed in previous attempts. The seeds retained their viability after a seven-month voyage and germinated. No information was provided about who collected them or when, or the exact location or name of the island. Beccari (1890, 1907) gave a brief description of the fruits, simply repeating the scant information that Andre had provided.
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A few years later Beccari (1913), citing material he had examined at Bthat originated from a plant cultivated at Herrenhausen, provided a more detailed description of a leaf, apparently from an adult plant. As was the case with Pritchardia pericularum, there is no way to verify the authenticity of the material at B, although there is a high probability that it was authentic Pritchardia vuylstekeana. Beccari (Beccari & Rock 1921) gave a very brief description of the fruits and seeds, obviously relying again on Wendland's scant original information, and of the leaf blade, which he noted was glabrous and devoid of lepidia on the abaxial surface. Like Pritchardia pericularum, the identity of this poorly known and documented entity remains a mystery. Its origin in the Tuamotu Archipelago is dubious. Nearly all islands in the archipelago are low, coral atolls without rocky cliffs. The one well known raised island with rocky cliffs in the archipelago is Makatea. Although Makatea does have an indigenous Pritchardia, it is P. mitiaroana, which differs in its small fruits 7 mm in diameter, about onethird the size of those of P. vuylstekeana. The report of P. vlIylstekeana on Makatea (Wilder 1934) is an error. Material cultivated as P. vuylstekeana in collections in Hawaii, Tahiti and perhaps elsewhere, is P. pacifica. 5-50 Whatever their final disposition, Pritchardia pericularum and P. vuylstekeana. are probably the same taxon. Their fruit size and abaxial leaf blade surface devoid of lepidia immediately conjure up P. hillebrandii or perhaps P. maideniana. Habit unknown; leaf blade glabrous, devoid of lepidia on the abaxial surface; fruits 24 x 20 mm, globose to ellipsoid; seed 14 x 15 mm. (Hodel, D. 2007)/Palmweb. |
Culture
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Cold Hardiness Zone: 10a Pritchardia vuylstekeana is an easy to grow palm but not often available for the landscape. Pritchardia vuylstekeana 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 both 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.
"This is a relatively new non-Hawaiian Pritchardia available in cultivation now... and it seems to be the most cold-hardy of the non-Hawaiian Pritchardias, handling temps below 32F as a seedling. I have not seen many larger palms in southern California, but mine survived two winters without languishing like the P pacificas do. Maybe it will survive here. Maybe not.. too soon to tell. Has the wonderful large, flat, finely pleated semicircular fan leaves of those non-Hawaiian Pritchardias, though... would sure look great here. Not sure on ultimate height- very little information on the subject." (Geoff Stein).
External Links
- Glossary of Palm Terms
- MODERN BOTANICAL LATIN
- "Just To Be Clear"
- http://www.palmbeachpalmcycadsociety.com/palms/documents/PritchardiaSp..pdf
- http://myloulu.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/the-island-of-oahu/
- http://myloulu.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/the-island-of-maui/
- http://myloulu.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/the-islands-of-niihau-and-nihoa/
- http://myloulu.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/the-island-of-hawaii/
- http://myloulu.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/the-island-of-kauai/
- http://myloulu.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/the-island-of-lanai/
- http://myloulu.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/island-of-molokai/
- http://hanapalms.wordpress.com/2010/07/
- http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/12/23
References
Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.
Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.
Special thanks toPalmweb.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).
Hodel, D. 2007. A Review of the Genus Pritchardia. Palms 51(4): Special Supplement S 1-53.. 2007.
Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.