Loulu lelo (Pritchardia hillebrandii)

Hawaiian name: Loulu lelo
Botanical name: Pritchardia hillebrandii
Family: Arecaceae (Palm Family)
Status: Endemic
Where found: Windward coast of Moloka‘i
Water/Light: Wet to moderately wet, full sun to light shade
Elevation range: 90-1,800’
Height: About 25’

Notes: Hawai‘i has many different palms, but only one genus, Pritchardia, is native. Nineteen different species have adapted to very specific sites in the islands. This species, hillebrandii, is originally from Moloka‘i, once part of Maui Nui. The seeds, hāwane, can be peeled and eaten and taste like coconut.