Pritchardia beccariana

''Pritchardia beccariana'', the Kilauea pritchardia, or Beccari's loulu, is a species of palm tree in the genus ''Pritchardia'' that is endemic to wet forests on the eastern part of the island of Hawaii, near Hilo.

Description

This species reaches a height of , with a smooth, grayish trunk between in diameter. The 25–30 leaves are wide and equally long, held on petioles in length which are moderately covered along both edges at the base in medium tan fibers. The large, flat and rounded leaves are divided 1/5-1/4 into many stiff-tipped segments, with the abaxial surface incompletely covered with scattered fuzz. The inflorescences are composed of 2-4 panicles, shorter than or equalling the petioles in length. The panicles are branched to 3 orders, with scruffy indumentum in flower and glabrous in fruit. The flowers are followed by large, black oval to spherical fruits about long and wide when mature. It grows at elevations of where it receives greater than of rainfall per year. It was historically present at lower elevation, likely as low as sea level, but urbanization and farming have destroyed all of the forest at lower elevations. It is threatened by habitat loss, weed invasion, and prevention of seedling recruitment by rats and pigs.

History

Joseph Rock found ''Pritchardia beccariana'' in December 1914 by Glenwood near Kīlauea at about elevation and formally named and described it in 1916, honoring his friend and coworker Odoardo Beccari. Rock informed Beccari that the palm "is a beautiful palm of fine symmetry... a very distinct species and very different from any other ''Pritchardia'' known to me. The leaves resemble more those of Pritchardia pacifica than any other Hawaiian species."

Rock later collected and sent more material of another ''Pritchardia'' to Beccari, this time from 4,200 feet elevation and very close to Kīlauea on land opposite the residence of Walter M. Giffard, who helped to collect the specimens. Because this ''Pritchardia'' from higher elevations differed from ''Pritchardia beccariana'' in its smaller habit and size of leaves, flower, fruit stalks and fruits, Rock urged Beccari to name and describe it as a new species. However, Beccari felt that the differences were probably due to the higher elevation where they grew. Thus, Beccari concluded that the differences were insufficient to erect a new species, although he did establish the variety ''giffardiana'' to honor Giffard and recognize its smaller stature.

Cultivation and uses

Native Hawaiians valued the fruits of ''Pritchardia'' as a food source. The immature fruits, called ''hāwane or wāhane,'' were gathered and the endosperm was eaten (tasting like coconut meat). Leaves were also collected to use for thatching roofs, as well as for making fans, umbrellas, hats, and baskets. The trunks were also used for making spears and as material for construction.

''Pritchardia beccariana'' is also grown with some level of success as a landscape palm in tropical and subtropical areas. Hawaiian ''Pritchardia'' are especially popular among growers and collectors in subtropical areas or in regions with a Mediterranean climate, such as southern California, Southern Europe, and southern Australia, because they are more tolerant of cooler temperatures than their South Pacific counterparts. Indeed, ''Pritchardia beccariana'' bears a striking resemblance to the handsome and acclaimed Fiji fan palm and even another south Pacific species, Thurston's fan palm.

Gallery

Pritchardia beccariana (4761434315).jpg
Pritchardia beccariana (4762066774).jpg
Pritchardia beccariana (4761432521).jpg
Pritchardia beccariana (4761432061).jpg

References

External links

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Palmpedia

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15468983

beccariana
Trees of Hawaii
Endemic flora of Hawaii
Plants described in 1916