Hardy's Loulu

Pritchardia hardyi Rock

Pritchardia hardyi, known as Hardy's Loulu, is a species of palm tree native to the moist forests of Kauaʻi, Hawaii, at elevations below 2,000 feet (610 m). The species has a trunk that can grow up to 80 feet (24 m) tall with a diameter of 1 foot (0.30 m), and its leaves reach lengths of 3 feet (0.91 m). In 1998, only 30 individuals were recorded in the wild, restricted to a single trail on Kauaʻi. It is classified as an endangered species in the United States.

Description

Pritchardia hardyi is a member of the Arecaceae family and is known for its fast growth. It is endemic to Kauaʻi and was described in 1921 by Rock. The species is critically rare, with a very limited distribution, and is under federal protection due to its endangered status.