Pritchardia kahukuensis
Pritchardia (pritch-AHR-dee-ah) kahukuensis (Kah-hoo-koo-EN-sis) | |||||||
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![]() Hawai`i, O`ahu, Ko`olau Mountains, windward side. Specimen 1. Photo by Joel Lau | |||||||
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Contents
Habitat and Distribution
Hawaii. Wet forest at the northwestern end of the Koolau Mountains, Oahu,
Kahuku loulu is found in wet forest on steep slopes and ridge tops from 1600 to 1800 feet at the very northwestern end of the Koʻolau Range on Oʻahu. ("Loulu: The Hawaiian Palm", pages 1, 100, 101.)
Description
To 15(-25) m tall; proximal margins of petiole with few, coarse, tan, papery, fibers or ligules; leaf blade slightly undulate, divided 1/3-1/2, adaxial surface glossy green, abaxial surface completely but thinly covered with lepidia and appearing grayish, segment tips drooping; inflorescences composed of one panicle, erect and slightly shorter than leaf blades in flower, arching and about equaling or slightly exceeding leaf blades in fruit, panicle branched to 2(3) orders, rachillae permanently clothed with short, dense reddish brown hairs; fruits 15 x 11 mm, ellipsoid to ovoid. (iucn.org) Editing by edric.
Long included as a synonym of Pritchordia l1lortii (Read & Hodel 1999), this unusual species with large, tall trunks and full, heavy crowns of leaves occurs sparingly as widely scattered individuals on steep slopes and ridge tops at the very northwest end of the Koolau range on Oahu. It grows with or close to forms of P. martii with inflorescences greatly exceeding the leaf blades in fruit, which at I times in the past had been erroneously referred to P. kahukuensis. Pritchardia martii differs, however, in its leaf blades wilh stiff segment tips, generally hemispherical crowns of leaves, and, in this region, inflorescences greatly exceeding the leaf blades in fruit. With its full, spherical crown of leaves with drooping segment tips, Pritchardia kahukuensis is similar in habit to P. waialealeana, P. schattaueri and P. gordonii, all three of which differ in their leaf blades incompletely covered abaxially with lepidia. The paucity of collections of P. kahukuensis may be more apparent than real because characters for distinguishing it from P. martii are not readily apparent in the herbarium. Although Caum originally described the fruits of Pritchardia kahllkuensis as "15 mm long, 11 mm in diameter", and there are fruits of this size in the type collection, additional fruits in the type collection are much larger, to 45 x 35 mm. However, Leland Miyano and I visited the type locality and, while we were unable to find mature fruits on the tree, we observed rateaten, apparently full-sized fruits under several trees that were the size that Caum noted in his original description. The much larger fruits in the type collection were likely placed there in error and probably represent P. martii. (iucn.org)
Culture
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Pritchardia kahukuensis is an easy to grow palm but not often available for the landscape. Pritchardia kahukuensis 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) "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) |
Comments and Curiosities
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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 kahukuensis is in reference to Kahuku (Mālaekahana), a location at the northwestern end on the Koʻolau Mountains on the island of Oʻahu. (Encyclopedia of Life curator Dr. David Eickhoff) The Kahuku loulu sometimes occurs with or close to Maritius' loulu (P. martii), but is distinct with its much larger fruit, and differs from Baker's loulu (P. bakeri) with its much longer fruit stalks and greatly exceed the leaves. ("Loulu: The Hawaiian Palm", pages 1, 100, 101.) "Pritchardia kahukuensis is endemic to the northwest end of the Ko’olau Range in the area known as Kahuku for which it is named. It is known by its tall trunks, large spherical and full crown of leaves with drooping segment tips and infructescences with small fruit approximating the length of the leaf blades. This species of loulu has glossy green upper leaf surfaces; the bottoms of the leaves are covered completely with a thin layer of lepidia, giving a grayish appearance. The segments penetrate 1/3 to 1/2 of the leaf blade and sport drooping tips. The inflorescences are composed of a single panicle, shorter than the leaf blade and erect; the fruit cause arching and lengthening to equal or exceed the leaf blade. The panicle branches to 2 or 3 orders and the rachillae are clothed in short, dense reddish brown hairs. The mature fruit are 1/2 inch by 3/4 inch ellipsoid to ovoid in shape." (Billl Chang) "This loulu grows in the wet forest at an elevation of 1700 to 2000 feet. It was once considered synonymous with Pritchardia martii." (Billl Chang) |
- IMAGE GALLERY
"This is no mere Pritchardia martii; it’s P. kahukuensis! This species of loulu has much smaller fruit that P. martii. The crown is also typically this spherical shape. These photos clearly show how strange this individual is, growing sideways out of the hillside! The trail actually passes directly underneath the crown. After a while, you don’t see P. kahukuensis anymore, it’s all P. martii up to the summit." Photo by Sebastian Marquez, See link above entitled "Loulu of La’ie"
"This is no mere Pritchardia martii; it’s P. kahukuensis! This species of loulu has much smaller fruit that P. martii. The crown is also typically this spherical shape. These photos clearly show how strange this individual is, growing sideways out of the hillside! The trail actually passes directly underneath the crown. After a while, you don’t see P. kahukuensis anymore, it’s all P. martii up to the summit." Photo by Sebastian Marquez, See link above entitled "Loulu of La’ie"
External Links
- Glossary of Palm Terms
- MODERN BOTANICAL LATIN
- "Just To Be Clear"
- 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
- http://studiamirabilium.com/2011/11/13/loulu-of-laie/
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.