Pritchardia glabrata
Genus
Pritchardia
Species
glabrata
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Hāwane
- Loulu
- Noulu
- Wāhane
Hawaiian Names
- Hawane
- Loulu
- Noulu
- Wahane
Common Names
- Smooth Loulu
Synonyms
- Pritchardia elliptica
- Pritchardia lanaiensis
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Tree
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
Mature Size, Width
The canopy width is 10-12 feet. [Garrett Webb, Kalaoa Gardens]
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Provides Shade
- Screening
- Specimen Plant
Additional Landscape Use Information
An excellent miniature palm for the native landscape. Stress or lack of magnesium is indicated by yellowing leaves. (See Fertilizer section)
Garrett Webb notes: "It would not enjoy full low elevation sun, but would look great at 1,000’ or more." [Garrett Webb, Kalaoa Gardens]
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- White
- Yellow
Additional Flower Color Information
This loulu has pale white to yellowish flowers.
Blooming Period
- Fall
- Winter
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
The information for the fall/winter blooming period is based on the cultivated plants at Waimea Valley, Oʻahu. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi] Numerous small fruits appear on fruit stalks as long as the leaf stalks (petioles). [4]
Plant texture
- Coarse
Additional Plant Texture Information
The wavy leaves are about 2 feet long on this miniature species.
Leaf Colors
- Medium Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
Leaves are green above and below. [4]
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Loulu is prone to leaf rollers, red spider mites and sugar cane borers. Rats will eat the fruit.
Fertilizer
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. [1,2] 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]
Pruning Information
The dead leaves, flowers and fruits can be removed in a landscape setting for a cleaner appearance.
Water Requirements
- Moist
Additional Water Information
When the palm is well established, water once per month. These loulu can tolerate wetter soil with good drainage.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
Does best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Salt Spray
Soils
- Sand
Special Growing Needs
This loulu is wind and somewhat salt tolerant. [Anna Palomino, Hoʻolawa Farms]
Natural Range
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
Naturally occurring in dry to moist scrubby forest and grasslands on near vertical slopes in the vicinity of Maunalei Gulch on Lānaʻi and in the valleys and groges on the sounthern and southeastern side of Puʻu Kukui, including ʻĪao Valley, West Maui at around 1800 feet.
The range extension to Lānaʻi is based on a revision of the genus Pritchardia and includes Pritchardia ellipticum and P. lanaiensis, now considered as synonyms of P. glabrata. [4,5,6]
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. [5,6]
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 glabrata is derived from the Latin glabrous, without hairs, in reference the the leaves of this species generally without fuzz or small hairs.
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.). [3]
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. [3]
Noulu is a variation of Loulu. [3]
Background Information
Pritchardia glabrata is related to P. hillebrandii, P. kaalae, P. maideniana, and P. remota, and similar to P. remota and P. waialealeana and difficult to distinguish apart. [5,6]
Fossil evidence show that loulu 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. [4]
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.
Modern Use
The Smooth loulu are small, sometimes dwarf palms, and typically very slow growing. [6] These loulu are incorporated in landscaping on their native Lānaʻi and Maui, but also used on Oʻahu and perhaps on other islands as well. Because of their small stature, even as mature specimens (to 15 feet), they are great for small commercial settings and urban yards.
Additional References
[1] http://donselman.homestead.com/page8.html [accessed 3/4/09]
[2] http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Articles/minerals.html [accessed 3/4/09]
[3] Hawaiian Dictionaries http://www.wehewehe.org/ [12/30/09]
[4] "Loulu--The Hawaiian Pritchardia" by Donald R. Hodel, The Palm Journal #193, pages 10, 12.
[5] "A Review of the Genus Pritchardia" by Donald R. Hodel, pages S-3, S-8, S-14-15.
[6] "Loulu: The Hawaiian Palm" by Donald R. Hodel, pages 1, 80-81, 82, 83.
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