1985] HODEL: NEW 31

Principes, 29(1), 1985, pp. 31-34 A New Pritchardia from South Kona, Hawaii

DONALD R. HODEL 881 Sycamore. La Habra. CA 90631

In 1960, while clearing land in Kapua 30, petiolis arcuatis ad 205 cm longis, and Papa in South Kona, Hawaii, Mr. laminis lucidis, apicibus segmentorum George Schattauer came across several pendulis; inflorescentiae tenues, 2-4 axi­ specimens of an elegant, tall fan palm of bus ad 175 cm longis, bracteis juventute the genus Pritchardia previously not tomento longo pallido infuscatio tectis; known to occur in that area of Hawaii. fructus magnus globosus vel obovoideus, Recognizing the significance of his discov­ 3.0-5.5 cm longus. ery' Mr. Schattauer left the palms stand­ Typus: Hawaiian Islands, H. E. Moore, ing in the cleared areas of the forest. In Jr., D. R. Hodel, J. R. Judd, III, and R. 1969 and 1970 Mr. Schattauer sent fruits H. Phillips 10570 (holotypus BH). of these palms to Mr. Paul Weissich, Single stemmed, tall, unarmed, pleon­ director of Honolulu Botanic Gardens. anthic, hermaphrodite palm to 30(40) m Upon seeing the relatively large fruits and tall, 30 cm in diameter, cortex gray, lon­ noting the description and locality of the gitudinally grooved but not corky. palms he realized that they could not be ca. 30, forming a spherical crown, some­ associated with any known species. Mr. times old leaves persistent and forming a. Weissich alerted me to these palms while short skirt; petioles elongate, arching, to I was doing field work on the island of 205 cm long, to 27 cm wide at base, to Hawaii in 1976 under the auspices of the 5 cm wide at tip, densely tawny-woolly Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden. Mr. below, glabrous above, margins long Schattauer took me to see these palms, fibrous; ligule to 7 cm long, to 2.5 cm and I was able to collect fallen fruits, inflo­ wide, hemispherical; blade glossy, not stiff, rescences, and leaves. I had the oppor­ to 155 cm long, 170 cm wide, central tunity to visit the palms on several occa­ undivided part to 105 cm long, left and sions during the next four years and make right lateral segments from apex to base further collections. Finally in 1980 I vis­ of blade progressively shorter while divided ited the palms for the last time in the portions of these lateral segments pro­ company of the late Dr. H. E. Moore, Jr. gressively longer, central segments to 5.5 (see Hodel 1982). From field observations cm wide at point of disjunction becoming and examination of herbarium material I progressively narrower towards base, seg­ have ascertained that these palms repre­ ment tips pendulous, blade green and gla­ sent a new species of Pritchardia as was brous above and greenish below, under­ alluded to in an earlier paper (Hodel side moderately covered with pale brown, 1980). elliptic to circular scales; dense woolly tomentum extending from underside of onto blade and along ridges of seg­ Pritchardia schattaueri D. R. Hodel, ment folds. branched, with sp. noy. (Fig. 1). 2-4 axes from the base, each terminating Arbor ad 30(40) malta, caudice 30 cm in a panicle, slender and more or less pen­ diametro, cortice non suberosa; folia circa dulous, 120-175 cm long, 3.5-4.0 cm 32 PRINCIPES [VOL. 29

mm long, 1.5 mm wide, style 2.5-3.0 mm long, slightly triangular in cross sec­ tion. Fruit brown to black with brown spots when mature, variable in shape and size, globose to obovoid 3-5 x 3-4 cm; exo­ carp 0.5 mm thick, mesocarp variable in thickness from 1.5-6.0 mm at base, 1.3 mm in middle, to 10 mm thick at pedicel end, more or less fibrous or slightly corky, endocarp 1.0-1.5 mm thick; seed glo­ bose, 2.0-2.5 cm long and wide, or sub­ globose, 1.6 x 1.8 cm; embryo lateral or sub-basal, cylindrical, 3.5 x 1.5 mm. Distribution: Known in the wild from only twelve individuals occurring in par­ tially cleared, disturbed, mixed 'Metrosi­ deros forest from 600-800 m altitude, Lands of Papa, Honomalino, and Kapua, South Kona on the island of Hawaii. Specimens Examined: HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, Hawaii, District of South Kona, Lands of Papa, Ho'omau Ranch, ca. 750 m altitude, partially cleared, dis­ Fig. 1. Pritchardia schattaueri, type locality, turbed, mixed Metrosideros forest, 19 Papa, South Kona, Hawaii. June 1980, H. E. Moore, Jr., D. R. Hodel, J. R. Judd, III, and R. H. Phil­ wide at base; individual axes 100-140 cm lips 10570 (holotype, BH); type locality, long, 1.0-1.5 cm in diameter; panicle 24­ 1 April 1976, D. R. Hodel and J. R. 32 cm long, to 34 cm wide, lowest panicle Judd, III 169 (PTBG); Lands of Kapua, branches composed of 3-5 branchlets to in nut orchard that was for­ 17 cm long, middle branches composed of merly Metrosideros forest, 30 March 1-2 branchlets, 12-16 cm long, upper 1973, L. E. Bishop and G. McDonough branches simple to 12 cm long, lower pan­ 1832 (DH). icle branchlets 4 mm in diameter, upper Cultivated: Wahiawa Gardens of panicle branchlets 1 mm in diameter; pro­ Honolulu Botanic Gardens, Honolulu, phyll and peduncular bracts not seen, new Hawaii, HBG 70.042 and HBG 69.698, bracts covered with rather long, light 8 June 1983, R. Kariel s.n. brown tomentum, bracts long-Ianceolate Vernacular Name: lo'ulu. This name in shape, lower bracts to 60 cm long, ter­ was applied to all species of Pritchardia minal bracts 20-30 cm long, bracts 5 in in Hawaii and is still popularly used today. number (excluding prophyll and pedun­ Hawane was the name for the edible, cular bracts), progressively shorter from immature fruits of the various Pritchar­ lower to terminal bract. Calyx green, dia spp. in Hawaii. shading to yellow-green apically, barrel­ Pritchardia schattaueri is named for shaped, 3-toothed, 6 x 4 mm; filaments Mr. George Schattauer of Kona, Hawaii 6, 1.5-2.5 mm long, filament base orange, who discovered the palms, recognized their exserted 2.0-2.5 mm beyond calyx, 3 mm significance, and brought them to the in diameter, filament ring 5 mm long; attention of others. His fondness of anthers 3.0-3.5 x 0.5 mm; ovary 3.5 Hawaiian and interest in preserving 19851 HODEL: NEW PRITCHARDIA 33 the flora and fauna of Hawaii deserve rec­ related to P. becca~iana but differs in th~ ognition. less ramified panicle, more slender inflo­ Seeds of Pritchardia schattaueri were rescence axes, more deeply divided leaves, sent to The Palm Society Seed Bank in and pendulous rather than stiff tips of the 1976 as Hodel 169. blade segments. P. schattaueri differs Habitat: R. schattaueri grows on from P. eriostachya, P. lanigera, and gently sloping, rocky, well-drained soils. the probably extinct P. montis-kea in the Average annual rainfall is about 200 cm lack of thick woolly tomentum covering with a majority of this falling from April the bracts and panicles, the more slender through September. Although they now inflorescence axes, the more ramified pan­ occur in open spaces and fully exposed, icle, and more slender rachillae. It differs P. schattaueri must be considered a palm from P. affinis in the pendulous tips of of the forest since before being cleared the leaf blade segments, longer and more the area was covered by forest dominated slender inflorescence axes, larger fruits and by Metrosideros collina. The height of a woody rather than corky texture to the the forest canopy was approximately 30 cortex of the trunk. m as evidenced by the present day rem­ The survival of P. schattaueri in the nant stands of Metrosideros collina. The wild is certainly doubtful. Although all the height of P. schattaueri, 30-40 m, indi­ trees comprising the population are mature cates that it was at least a canopy dweller and several produce fruit regularly, their if not an emergent of the mature forest. habitat is so altered or disturbed that Other associated species include Freyci­ regeneration is nonexistent. Of the twelve netia arborea, Psychotria hawaiiensis, remaining individuals, ten occur in pas­ Xylosma hawaiiense, Myrsine lasser­ tureland where grazing cattle and wild pigs tiana, Tetraplasandra hawaiiensis, crush or eat fallen or sprouted seeds. One Pisonia brunoniana, Antidesma platy­ of the remaining twelve is located in a phyllum, Cibotium chamissoi, and Sad­ commercial Macadamia nut orchard dleria cyatheoides. where extraneous growth in orchard The distribution of P. schattaueri is rows is discouraged. The last occurs in somewhat of an enigma. Ten of the twelve very disturbed, weedy Metrosideros for­ individuals occur within 400 m of each est remnants where weed growth and other in Papa while the remaining two are grazing wild animals prevent regeneration several kilometers distant in Honomalino while a proposed housing development and Kapua. The more or less same type threatens the survival of the mature spec­ of forest found in these areas extends in imen. P. schattaueri should be given the a band with some degree of uniformity for official status of very rare, very local, and a distance of approximately 50 km to the endangered according to the criteria out­ north along the west sides of Mauna Loa lined by Fosberg and Herbst (1975). and Hualalai. Yet P. schattaueri is absent It is my observation that several of the from this large forested area which appar­ specimens are approaching the end of their ently is a very suitable environment for natural life. Their crowns are much its growth and development. Although reduced, being only hemispherical not several cultivated individuals of P. affinis spherical in shape. Flower and fruit pro­ occur near old Hawaiian homesites near duction is minimal and these palms have this area, why P. schattaueri has not been a generally unthrifty appearance. Until reported is perplexing. these trees are afforded protection from Of the five other named species of grazing cattle, wild animals, weed growth, Pritchardia on the island of Hawaii, P. and land development, their future as a schattaueri is apparently most closely viable, existing, wild population is doomed. 34 PRINCIPES [VOL. 29

Animal-proof fencing around key individ­ Hyypio of L. H. Bailey Hortorium, and uals of the population and a weed man­ Gerald Carr of the University of Hawaii agement program within these enclosures lent herbarium material while Rachel Kar­ until regeneration is resumed may offer a iel of Honolulu Botanic Gardens sent solution. In addition, seeds could be col­ material from cultivation. Paul Weissich lected, seedlings germinated and grown in inspired my interest in Pritchardia and a nursery until of suitable size, and then alerted me to the existence of these palms. replanted within the animal-proof enclo­ James R. Judd, Jr. was very supportive of sures. This may prove to be beneficial and my efforts in pursuing studies of Pritch­ expedient to the regeneration process. It ardia on Hawaii. James R. Judd, III was is hoped that the naming of this palm will a very selfless companion in the field for help to publicize its precarious existence many a happy and memorable day in and result in efforts to protect and enhance Kona. Lastly, my wife, Marianne, toler­ its survival as a viable, wild population. ated my preoccupations for extended periods with grace and understanding. All Acknowledgments deserve my sincere appreciation. Several individuals and institutions have LITERATURE CITED assisted me in this study. In addition to discovering these palms and bringing them FOSBERG, F. H. AND D. HERBST. 1975. Rare and to the attention of others, George Schat­ endangered species of Hawaiian plants. AlIer­ tauer was instrumental in making tonia 1: 1-72. HODEL, D. 1980. Notes on Pritchardia in Hawaii. arrangements for me to visit the palms. Principes 24: 65-81. William Theobald and Timothy Flynn of ---. 1982. Hal's last palms. Principes 26: Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, Peter 135-137.

PALM LITERATURE

GE TRY, A. H. 1981. ew species and a new combination in Palmae, Thea­ ceae, Araliaceae, Apocynaceae, and ----- ~: ~..:.:I~:.~;r~~:6 '::'"~~~~:Tr ... l:~':;.:ic ~~~ •• Bignoniaceae from the ChocD and ._"_'_.. ". ....--..."' __- "_'-,tf...___--Or. __. ... -"' ..-- , Amazonian Peru. Ann. Missouri Bot. ....-."_ ...... ,-... .. - _.,,... -~-- _,-,__ __.... _--_'_--.. '_,I"__'- _--_ _. Gard. 68: 112-121. CO_ITt •• 1041 lin.. H•• ohlrfl St. La"" ...c. KS 1t60~4 Aiphanes chocoensis A. Gentry is described from the ChocD region, in West­ ...... ,.'.._u...... o, ...... CUJM •• _"...._, ...... --_"" __..'O'UOCl.'OOO"""''''- ern Colombia. Although the author revised

Burret's (1932) synopsis of the genus, and "000_110000"_" ,...... "'" o,o--..,...- ...,n_.,.... __ -----_.. _----_...._----- even criticizes it, he nevertheless over­ Gl::'~'_·- 0 :,_.- looked Aiphanes macroloba Burret, a species described there, and which appears to be identical to A. chocoensis. Both type ,.., localities are less than 140 kilometers apart. A formal reduction of A. chocoen­ sis A. Gentry to synonymy under A. macroloba Burret will be made elsewhere.

RODRIGO BERNAL-GONZALEZ