Loulu (Pritchardia remota)

Hawaiian name: Loulu
Botanical name: Pritchardia remota
Family: Arecaceae (Palm Family)
Status: Endemic, endangered
Where found: Ni‘ihau and Nīhoa
Water/Light: Dry to moist, full sun
Elevation range: 250 to 800 feet
Height: 13-50 feet

Notes: Pritchardia remota grows exceptionally well in cultivation and occurs in several botanical collections. On Ni‘ihau this species was once named P. aylmer-robinsonii. It inhabits dry, barren rocky areas and on Nīhoa forms large, closed-canopy colonies. Loulu palm were erected to signify a temporary, special 'heiau loulu', where gods of fishing were seasonally propitiated. The leaves were used for thatching. Because loulu fruits are tasty to rats, all Hawaiian loulu are rare.

*Photo courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr

Photo courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr

Join Us for the
20th Annual
Arbor Day Garden Expo!

2,500 Native Hawaiian
Trees Giveaway

Please Consider
Making a Donation
Every dollar contributed to Maui Nui Botanical Gardens goes directly towards the preservation of Native Hawaiian Plants and the upkeep of our collection that includes some of the rarest specimens in whole world!

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.