Pritchardia kaalae, also known as Waianae Range pritchardia[4] or loulu palm, is a species of palm tree that is endemic to the western part of the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi. It grows near springs in the dry forests on the Waiʻanae Range at elevations up to 2,500 feet (760 m). This slow growing species reaches a height of 25 feet (7.6 m), with a trunk diameter of 1 foot (0.30 m).[5] In 1998 there were fewer than 130 individuals remaining in the wild.[1] This has been a federally listed endangered species of the United States[2] since 1996.[3]
| Pritchardia kaalae | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Tribe: | Trachycarpeae |
| Genus: | Pritchardia |
| Species: | P. kaalae
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| Binomial name | |
| Pritchardia kaalae | |
Etymology
editThe generic name of Pritchardia kaalae honors William Thomas Pritchard (1829-1907), a 19th century British counsul in Fiji by Herman Wendland.The Hawaiian name loulu means "umbrella" as a reference to its appearance, with leaves used as protection against sun or rain[6]
Description
editHawai'i contains twenty-four species of loulu. The plant is known for its unarmed tree palms with fan-shaped or palmate leaves. The leaves are composed of three parts, the leaf base, leaf stalk, and leaf blade. The flowers of loulu are small, usually less than one-third of an inch long. Flowers are mostly bright yellow, and densely arranged. When open for pollination, the flowers are fragrant or aromatic and typically contain moderate to abundant nectar. Fruits vary in sizes from small to large with different shapes, typically more or less globose to ellipsoid.[7]
Cultural Significance
editThe cultural significance of loulu was primarily used by early Hawaiians for thatching and plaiting such as papale (hats) and fans.[8] The green sub-mature seeds, which were called hawane or wahane, were considered delicacy.[9]
Distribution and Habitat
editTree molds of Loulu suggest that the palms persisted in the early period of Polynesian settlement on the Kona coast, and Pritchardia was an important component to precontact vegetation in the area.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b Keir, M. (2018). "Pritchardia kaalae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T38647A83787605. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T38647A83787605.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ a b "loulu (Pritchardia kaalae)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ a b 61 FR 53089
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Pritchardia kaalae". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ Riffle, Robert Lee; Paul Craft (2003). An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Timber Press. p. 420. ISBN 978-0-88192-558-6.
- ^ "CAS - Central Authentication Service cas.login.pagetitle". authn.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "CAS - Central Authentication Service cas.login.pagetitle". authn.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "Library". localhost. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "Loulu – Hawai'i's Native Palm – Maui Nui Botanical Gardens". 2020-08-02. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "Tree Mold Evidence of Loulu Palm ( Pritchardia sp.) Forest on the Kona Coast, Hawai'i".
External links
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