Pritchardia sp. 'wahiawa'

Pritchardia (pritch-AHR-dee-ah) sp. 'wahiawa'
National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hawaii. Photo by Kyle Wicomb, edric.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Pritchardia (pritch-AHR-dee-ah) Species: sp. 'wahiawa'
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Palmate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Hawaiian; Hāwane, Loulu, Noulu, Wāhane. Alakaʻi Swamp pritchardia.

Habitat and Distribution

Hawaii.

National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hawaii. Photo by Kyle Wicomb, edric.

Culture

This palm prefers a sunny, well drained, and moist location.

"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. 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) Editing by edric.

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), edric.

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.

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

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).

• IMAGE GALLERY
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  National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hawaii. Photo by Kyle Wicomb, edric.

• 

  National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hawaii. Photo by Kyle Wicomb, edric.

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  National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hawaii. Photo by Kyle Wicomb, edric.

Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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