Pritchardia beccariana
Genus
Pritchardia
Species
beccariana
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Hāwane
- Loulu
- Noulu
- Wāhane
Hawaiian Names
- Hawane
- Loulu
- Noulu
- Wahane
Common Names
- Beccari's Loulu
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Tree
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Tree, Medium, 30 to 50
- Tree, Large, Greater than 50
Mature Size, Width
The canopy width is from 12-15 feet in mature specimens. [Garrett Webb, Kalaoa Gardens]
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Specimen Plant
Additional Landscape Use Information
Although somewhat slow growing this loulu can make a nice canopy. [Garrett Webb, Kalaoa Gardens]
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Yellow
Plant texture
- Coarse
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Whiteflies, scales
Water Requirements
- Moist
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
Protect from direct sun in hotter areas. [Garrett Webb, Kalaoa Gardens]
Soils
- Cinder
Limitations
Protect from wind and direct sun in hotter areas. [Garrett Webb, Kalaoa Gardens]
Special Growing Needs
This loulu can grow up to 3000 feet with high humidity and good drainage. [Garrett Webb, Kalaoa Gardens]
Natural Range
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 2000 to 2999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 3000 to 3999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 4000 to 4999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
This loulu is found from about 1000 to 4200 feet in wet forest on Mauna Loa, Hawaiʻi Island. It probably originally occured lower, perhaps to sea level, but urbanization, farming, and reforestation projects have destroyed the forest at lower elevations. [4]
Special Features and Information
General Information
There are 27 species of Pritchardia in the Palm family (Aracaceae) of which 24 are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. [1]
Etymology
The generic name is named for William Thomas Pritchard (1829-1907), 19th century British counsul in Fiji, adventurer, and author of Polynesian Reminiscences in 1866.
The specific epithet beccariana is named for the Italian botanist Odoardo Becarri (1843-1920), perhaps best known for "discovering" the Titan arum, the plant with the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world, in Sumatra in 1878.
Hawaiian Names:
Loulu, pronounced low-loo, means "umbrella," because the leaves were formerly used as protection from rain or sun.
The names Hāwane and Wāhane refers the fruit or nut of the loulu, but can also refer to the palm itself. The name is also used for a small red limu or seaweed (Polysiphonia spp.). [2]
Loulu is the Hawaiian name for all species of Pritchardia in the Hawaiian Archipelago. The name has at times been misspelled as Loʻulu. However, Loʻulu, with ʻokina, is the name of the endemic Hawaiian fern Coniogramme pilosa. Loulu is also used for a species of filefish (Alutera monoceros), perhaps so called because its greenish-white skin resembled the loulu palm. It was used in sorcery to cause death because the name contains the word lou, to hook. [2]
Noulu is a variation of Loulu. [2]
Background Information
Fossil evidence show that loulu (Pritchardia spp.) were once widely spread throughout the islands, especially in the lowlands.
Early Hawaiian Use
Loulu (Pritchardia spp.): The hard wood of the trunk of taller species of loulu were fashioned into spears by early Hawaiians.
The fruits called hāwane or wāhane were peeled and eaten by early Hawaiians. They collected young fruits. The flavor of young fruit with the soft interior is similar to coconut. The trunks loulu were notched for climbing to gather the immature fruits and fronds. Older specimens still bear notches that can be seen today. [3]
The fronds, or leaves, called lau hāwane were used by the early Hawaiians for thatching and more recently as plaiting such as papale (hats) and fans.
Additional References
[1] "A Review of the Genus Pritchardia" by Donald R. Hodel, page S-3, S-8, S-11-12.
[2] Hawaiian Dictionaries http://www.wehewehe.org/ [Accessed 12/30/09]
[3] "Loulu--The Hawaiian Pritchardia" by Donald R. Hodel, The Palm Journal #193, page 12.
[4] "Loulu: The Hawaiian Palm" by Donald R. Hodel, pages 1, 75.
PHOTOS FOR THIS SPECIES CAN BE SEEN AT THE LINK (Copy & Paste to your browser):
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