Pritchardia aylmer-robinsonii
H. St. John
Hawaiian fan-palm, Loulu, Wahane
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(c) Danielle Frohlich, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
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(c) Ruban Hussain, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Ruban Hussain, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
Summary
Source: WikipediaPritchardia aylmer-robinsonii is a species of palm tree that is endemic to the island of Niʻihau, Hawaii, United States. It inhabits coastal dry forests at an elevation of 70–270 m (230–890 ft). P. aylmer-robinsonii reaches a height of 7–15 m (23–49 ft) and a trunk diameter of 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in). Harold St. John discovered this species in 1949, and the specific epithet refers to Aylmer Francis Robinson, a member of the family that owned the island. P. aylmer-robinsonii has been reintroduced to the Makauwahi Cave Reserve on Kauaʻi, where the species is believed to have previously ranged.
Description
A solitary palm. It grows about 17 m high. The trunk is about 20-30 cm across. The stems are slender and the leaf scar rings are closely spaced. The leaves are like a fan. They are slightly folded and arch over. The tips of the leaves hang down. The flowers contain both sexes. The fruit is hard and black and about 2 cm across.
Edible Uses
The nuts are edible.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It needs moist, fertile, well-drained soil. It needs an alkaline pH. It needs full sun. It suits plant hardiness zones 10-11.
Where It Grows
Hawaii, Pacific, USA,
Notes
There are 28 Pritchardia species. Of these 22 occur in Hawaii. They are tropical fan palms. This one is endangered.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Llamas, K.A., 2003, Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press. p 112
- Marinelli, J. (Ed), 2004, Plant. DK. p 377
- Pacific Sci. 13:163. 1959
