Plant Profile
Pritchardia napaliensis
Hāwane, Loulu, Noulu, Wāhane
Main Plant Information
Genus
Pritchardia
Species
napaliensis
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Hāwane
- Loulu
- Noulu
- Wāhane
Hawaiian Names
- Hawane
- Loulu
- Noulu
- Wahane
Common Names
- Nā Pali pritchardia
- Nāpali loulu
- Nāpali pritchardia
Synonyms
- Pritchardia limahuliensis
Plant Characteristics
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
Federally Listed
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Tree
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Tree, Dwarf, Less than 15
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
Mature Size, Width
Crown size is 10 feet. [Garrett Webb, Kalaoa Gardens]
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Specimen Plant
Additional Landscape Use Information
A very rarely seen loulu in the landscape. The few cultivated specimens in botanical gardens appear to do well at near sea level. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Characteristics
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Yellow
Additional Flower Color Information
The yellow flowers are showy en masse.
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
The black fruits are small (7/8 inch long and 3/4 inch). [2]
Leaf Characteristics
Plant texture
- Coarse
Additional Plant Texture Information
The almost flat leaves are small and wedge shaped. [2]
Leaf Colors
- Dark Green
Pests and Diseases
Growth Requirements
Water Requirements
- Moist
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
Additional Lighting Information
Cultivated specimens appear to do well in full sun. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Environmental Information
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 150 to 1000, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
This rare species is found from 490 to about 1970 feet in mesic to wet forest on steep slopes along the Nāpali Coast from Hanakāpīʻai to Hoʻolulu valleys, Kauaʻi. [1]
Special Features and Information
General Information
There are 26 species of Pritchardia in the Palm family (Aracaceae) of which 23 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 napaliensis is named after the Nā Pali Coast, Kauaʻi.
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
Apparently there seems to be little difference between this species and P. limahuliensis . Donald Hodel, palm specialist, has placed to two into Pritchardia napaliensis . [1]
Pritchardia napaliensis is closely allied to P. flynnii, P. hardyi, P. minor, P. perlmanii , and P. viscosa –all Kauaʻi species. [1]
P. napaliensis is similar in habitat to P. minor and their ranges may slightly overlap. The two are different with the underside leaves of P. minor being completely covered with lepidia, tiny fuzz-like material, and the panicles (fruit stems) thickly covered in pinkish brown wool. [1]
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.
Additional References
[1] “A Review of the Genus Pritchardia " by Donald R. Hodel, pages S-3, S-8, S-11-12, S-37-38.
[2] http://myloulu.wordpress.com/ [Accessed on 4/20/11]
[3] Hawaiian Dictionaries http://www.wehewehe.org/ [accessed 12/30/09]
[4] “Loulu–The Hawaiian Pritchardia” by Donald R. Hodel, The Palm Journal #193, page 7.
