Lauan fan palm
Pritchardia thurstonii

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A medium sized palm. It grows to 10 m tall. The trunk is 20 cm across. It has vertical cracks. The trunk is brown and ringed. It has a large crown. The leaf stalks are 1 m long and the leaf blade is 1 m across. They are fan shaped. The leaves are light green, stiff and pleated. The flowering stalk is long and hangs well clear of the leaves. It is 2 m long. It extends beyond the leaves. Only a single flowering branch occurs in a stalk. The flowering stalk extends well out beyond the leaves. The fruit are small and round. They are dark red when ripe. They are 6-7 mm across.

There are about 40 Pritchardia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It suits coastal locations. It grows in hot, dry places on coral and limestone soils in Fiji. It can tolerate salt laden winds. They need very good drainage. They will not grow on clay soils. It does best in full sun. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In Townsville Queens garden.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Fiji (country/location of origin), Hawaii, Pacific, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit ?

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate readily.

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Viu, Masai

Synonyms

Washingtonia thurstonii; Eupritchardia thurstonii; Styloma thurstonii;