Pritchardia remota - Pritchardia Palm

Pritchardia remota is the smallest representative of this group of palm trees native to the Hawaiian Archipelago. Almost extinct in its natural habitat, it is also a rare palm tree in cultivation. This species differs from other Pritchardia by its small size, undulating leaves, short and glabrous inflorescences, and tiny fruits. On its slender and tall false trunk is a somewhat irregular crown, of modest size, composed of deeply divided fan-shaped leaves with trailing segments. Although not very hardy, this palm tree is easy to grow in a large pot, which allows it to be protected from winter frosts. Enthusiastic gardeners can try acclimatising it in the ground in the most sheltered gardens along the Mediterranean coast.

Pritchardia remota belongs to the family of Araceae. It is native to the Hawaiian island of Nihoa, where it grows in dry forests and rather arid places at low altitudes. This species perishes below -2 or -3°C, but is quite accommodating regarding the soil and is resistant to drought once well established in the ground. It adapts well to indoor cultivation as long as winter temperatures are between 10 and 15 °C. Young plants take some time to establish, then growth accelerates. In the ground, Pritchardia remota rarely exceeds 5 m (16ft) in height. It will maintain more modest dimensions if grown in a container, indoors or in a greenhouse. 

This Hawaiian palm tree develops a unique trunk, called a stipe, thin and flexuous, covered with leaf scars, measuring up to 15 cm (6in) in diameter at the base.  At the end of this stipe, is a dense but disorderly crown of fan-shaped, deeply divided, semi-circular leaves, which are called costapalmate, 85 cm (34in) long. Their margin is divided into numerous tough, rigid, and trailing segments. Their colour is light green to dark green, the reverse is covered with a slight wax film and tiny scales. The petioles that bear the leaves measure up to 1 m (3ft) long. Flowering occurs in summer, on mature plants aged 10 to 15 years, and under favourable conditions. It takes the form of arched inflorescences, shorter than the leaves, bearing numerous small yellowish flowers. After pollination, tiny globose fruits form, turning black when ripe. Each one contains a seed that will germinate in a pot in a tropical environment, both warm and humid. 

The Pritchardia Palm is an architectural plant that will make a statement on a veranda, in a temperate greenhouse, or in a very bright and minimally heated room. It tolerates container cultivation well and can be taken out onto the patio or balcony from May to September. Like all palm trees, it is difficult to associate due to its strong personality: reserve a corner of a swimming pool or a prominent place on the patio, initially exposing it to partial shade to gradually acclimate it to the sun. Surround it with graphic and colourful  Phormium, precise and geometric Agaves, or perhaps Cordyline.