Pritchardia munroi
Pritchardia (pritch-AHR-dee-ah) munroi (muhn-ROH-ee) | |||||||
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McBryde Garden. National Tropical Botanical Gardens, Koloa, Hawaii. Photo by Dr. P. Goltra | |||||||
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Contents
Habitat and Distribution
Hawaii, Endemic. Dry to moist forest, lee side of eastern Molokai and south side of [[ File:pritchardia-Puu Kukui massif, West Maui, 600-1000 m. 1970 to 3280 feet. elevation.Description
To 5 m tall; proximal margins of petiole moderately fibrous; leaf blade strongly undulate, divided 1/2, abaxial surface incompletely covered with scattered lepidia, segment tips drooping; inflorescences composed of 1-5 panicles, shorter than petioles in flower and fruit, panicles branched to 2 orders, rachillae permanently clothed with thick, uniform, grayish brown hairs; fruits 22 x 20 mm, globose. (iucn.org)
Pritchardia munroi is another of the four Hawaiian species that is recorded from more than one island. The rachillae densely covered with uniform, grayish brown, permanent hairs and small fruits are diagnostic. (iucn.org)
Culture
"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." (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)
"Seems to a be a relatively cold sensitive species, and moderately finicky in California. No mature examples known (yet), but it should do OK here. (Geoff Stein)
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Pritchardia munroi is an easy to grow palm but not often available for the landscape. Pritchardia munroi 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. It was discovered in 1920 by Joseph F. Rock on the island of Moloka`i in Hawai`i, and named it after George C. Munro (1866-1963), manager of Moloka`i Ranch, ornithologist and botanist.
Phenology: Flower-Yellow. Small fruit are on fruit branchlets covered with dense grayish hairs. Fruit stalks are shorter than leaf stalks (petioles). ("Loulu--The Hawaiian Pritchardia", The Palm Journal #193, page 12.)
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Conservation: The two remaining individuals on Moloka`i, grow near the base of a small ravine in East Moloka`i, above Kamalo and Kapuaoko`olau. Number remaining; Moloka`i- 1 population, 2 individuals (USFWS 1996, 2001). 22 individuals are in cultivation in botanical gardens around the world. These plants were cultivated from seeds collected in 1975 from the sole remaining wild individual that were sent to botanical institutions for cultivation in efforts to prevent the extinction of this species. A small species that reaches only about 5 m (16 ft.) tall with a slender gray trunk to 20 cm (8 in.) in diameter and small leaves. P. munroi is under immediate threat of extinction in its wild habitat, having only a few individuals remaining that are not in good shape. (RPS.com) "Pritchardia munroi is related to P. forbesiana, P. gordonii, P. lowreyana, and P. schattaueri." ("A Review of the Genus Pritchardia", pages S-3, S-8, S-36.) "Rare and endangered species from the little Hawaiian island of Molokai, whrere only a few adult individuals remain. It is a medium sized palm with large, semicircular barley split costapalmate leaves (have a crease down the center). The leaflets are pendant once they split off. All the petioles arch a bit and the entire lower leaves tend to droop a bit. There is almost a bluish color to the leaves. The leaf bases are covered with a very light brown tomentum. Relatively short palm up to 15' tall with strikingly large, flat to wavy, drooping leaves. Leaflets have characteristic split of distal 4" or so. Leaf blades fairly long and arching. Seeds are black, spherical and only 1" in diameter." (Geoff Stein) |
External Links
- Glossary of Palm Terms
- MODERN BOTANICAL LATIN
- "Just To Be Clear"
- A Must See
- 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://www.bgci.org/worldwide/article/154/
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).
Hodel, D. 2007.
Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.