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Plant Profile

Baker's loulu (Pritchardia bakeri)

Two dozen members of the genus Pritchardia comprise the only palms native to Hawai'i. Baker's loulu (Pritchardia bakeri) is endemic to a single mountain range on the island of Oah'u, currently with less than 50 individuals in the wild. Lyon Arboretum is looking to add this unique and rare Hawaiian palm to their inter situ collections on the garden grounds. Photo Credit: Tim Kroessig

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Arecaceae
State: HI
Nature Serve ID: 935263
Lifeform: Tree
Categories of Interest: Palms
Date Inducted in National Collection:

Description:

This Hawaiian palm species has magnificent blades of green to silver gray. Yellow flowers bloom on a pendulous inflorescence during its flowering season and produce into green fruits that share the same interior texture as coconuts. Members of its genus are typically used for protection against the sun or from rain, in early Hawaiian weaponry, as a quick snack, for roof thatching, and in fashion accessories like hats and fats.

Where is Baker's loulu (Pritchardia bakeri) located in the wild?

Habitat:

P. bakeri is typically found in wet habitats at high elevations. Montane forests are preferred, but they can also grow at lower and drier elevations although their growth may be stunted. These palm trees can also tolerate near freezing temperatures, as long as they are as dry as possible.

Distribution:

Found on the island of O`ahu, this Pritchardia species is known from the Pupukea and Kuliouou areas of the Ko`olau Mountain range.

States & Provinces:

Baker's loulu can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Baker's loulu (Pritchardia bakeri)?

Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

Not Sponsored

Conservation Actions

Assigned 06/09/17

Montgomery Botanical Center

Not Sponsored

Conservation Actions

Assigned 02/09/22

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

Katie Heineman

02/09/2022

Lyon Arboretum is the process of acquiring material to establish a robust inter-situ collection of Pritchardia bakeri, an exceptional species.

Clarice Mendoza

09/08/2017

Seeds were collected by the Montgomery Botanical Center for further research, especially for DNA analysis.