A wildfire in 1885 nearly wiped it out, down to under a thousand palms left growing wild, and it’s still listed as endangered.
The Basics
Nihoa palm, Pritchardia remota, is a palm species in the family Arecaceae.
Origin and Habitat
Endemic to Nihoa, a tiny, remote island near Niʻihau in the Hawaiian archipelago.
What It Looks Like
A fan palm, similar in general form to other Pritchardia species native to Hawaii.
Uses and Flavor
Not a food plant — grown here as a conservation-minded addition rather than for any practical use.
Growing It Here
A wildfire in 1885 nearly wiped this species out entirely, down to under a thousand palms left growing wild on its native island, and it’s still listed as endangered today. Ours is still kicking, but it’s a genuinely slow grower and probably deserves more attention than it’s been getting.
Pests and Diseases to Watch For
Nothing to report so far.
Kenta’s Take
Growing an endangered native palm from an island most people will never set foot on feels like a small but real way to help a species hang on, even if it means being more patient with it than I have been.