Pritchardia hillebrandii

Common names

Loulou Lelo Palm, Molokai Fan Palm.

Curiosities

Dedicated to Hillebrandii, and to W.I. Pritchard, a British officer of the 19th century in the Polynesia.

Origin

Hawaii.

Habitat

Only found in cultivation, only the plants cultivated by the Hawaiians in the dry “Leeward”, coastal Molokai, are known.

Morphology

Grows up to 5-7 m tall. The leaf underside and the petioles are covered with a thin waxy layer, which gives them a bluish-green colour. Between 5 and 7 rather separated leaflets. Fruits globular, around 2 cm, bright bluish-black when ripe.

Climate

Grows well in tropical areas, but also in subtropical ones. Has been tested in Mediterranean areas: the plants survived for some winters, but after a short stronger frost, all the cultivated plants died.

Germination

Easy.

Growing

Perfect as indoor palm, a wonderful and dainty palm. Good in coastal areas with hard conditions.