Hawaii gardeners, naturalists and book lovers have a reason to rejoice this season: University of Hawaii Press has published “Loulu: The Hawaiian Palm” by Donald Hodel. Loulu was once one of the most abundant trees in Hawaii. The tree probably covered the entire Kona Coast, even growing in extremely dry areas, such as Kiholo.
Loulu are fan palms and belong to the genus Pritchardia, which has 27 species, 24 of which are native to Hawaii. These palms are found on all major islands, except Kahoolawe. Kauai has seven species; Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island have five species each; Molokai has four species; and Lanai, Niihau and Nihoa have one species each. Only five loulu species are found on more than one island. Kona has two species: Schattauer’s loulu and maiden’s loulu, also called Kona loulu. The maiden’s loulu was commonly cultivated in ancient Hawaii for its edible fruit; its leaves were used for thatch and hat making. Cultivated loulu can vary in appearance. Two examples are growing in the median triangles where Kuakini Highway joins Queen Kaahumanu Highway just south of Kailua-Kona. Maiden’s loulu is growing in the southern triangle while the northern triangle is home to a Pritchardia pacifica, Fiji fan palm.
All loulu are threatened in the wild and some species are quite rare. There are only about two dozen adult Gordon’s loulu and they are on one very steep slope of Honopue Valley, three valleys west of Pololu. These trees are pictured on the front cover of Hodel’s book. Loulu are very tough trees but they are no match for goats, pigs, deer, cows, rats and invasive weeds. Where these palms survive in the wild, it’s because the locations are extremely inaccessible. The rocky islet, Huelo, off the north coast of Molokai is home to a spectacular group of Hillebrand’s loulu, which flourishes because the sea is an effective barrier from Molokai’s goats and rats.
In 1960, while clearing native ohia forest for pasture and macadamia, George Schattauer discovered the loulu that is named for him. He was the manager of Jimmy Stewart’s Hoomau Ranch in Papa. There are only 12 of these palms growing in the wild. They are perhaps 150 years old and not reproducing in their native habitat because of pigs, cattle and invasive weeds. Schattauer’s loulu reaches a majestic 80 feet and grows easily in cultivation.
The rarest loulu was thought to be extinct, but was rediscovered in 1980 on Kauai. It is the viscous loulu, named for the sticky, shiny varnish covering the flowers and fruit branchlets. Since Hurricane Iniki struck in 1992, there are only three mature trees left in the wild.
“Loulu: The Hawaiian Palm” is filled with color, with more than 250 photographs on its 190 pages. Unique, thoughtful touches abound, such as color-coded maps of the islands showing locations of wild plants. There is a deliberate lack of technical jargon, making the book accessible to lay readers, as well as botanists. The sections on cultivation and propagation are very detailed. The appendix on naturalized palms in Hawaii is particularly fascinating. The first picture shows a thick stand of Alexandra palms in a Hamakua gulch, and though they are quite handsome, they are also extremely invasive.
The Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook has six species of loulu. They also have loulu plants for sale, as well as the loulu book. Kona Stories, Kona Bay Books, the Reading Garden, Captain Cook Trading Co. and Tropical Edibles Nursery all have copies available for sale.
Clear Englebert is a local author and feng shui consultant.
Tropical
gardening helpline
Hannah asks: I am attaching two photos of the mystery plant I described to you. Hopefully you know what it is and how to take care of it. Let me know.
Answer: The plant you sent a photo of is no longer a mystery. It is Jatropha podagrica, according to local horticulturalist Brian Lievens. Its common names include wart plant and gout plant, which accurately describe its bulbous shape. According to Lievens, they are available locally at Palms of Paradise in Hilo.
The plant is in the Euphorbiaceae family and is sold as a xeriscape plant, as well as a curiosity. It makes a good potted plant and can also serve as a conversation piece for a small tropical garden. It grows 2 to 3 feet high with a swollen stem and red flowers that seem to bloom year-round and last a long time on the plant.
Jatropha podagrica requires little care. It does best in well-drained soil, with very little water and a sunny to filtered light location in a pot or in the ground. It will do well with at least a few hours of sun, however, with less sun, the leaves will grow bigger.
You can propagate your gout plant from seeds, which are produced freely and germinate easily. When the seed pods turn brown and ripen, they burst open, launching the seeds several feet away so watch to be sure you catch them before they jump away.
Email plant questions to konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu for answers by certified master gardeners. Some questions will be chosen for inclusion in this column.
This column is produced by Diana Duff, a plant adviser, educator and consultant with an organic farm in Captain Cook.
