Pritchardia mitiaroana
 
Common Names Mitiaro Fan Palm
 
Zones 10b–11
 
A rare, solitary fan palm endemic to the island of Mitiaro in the Cook Islands, Pritchardia mitiaroana is adapted to karst limestone terrain and moist forest understory. It forms dense colonies with a thick leaf litter layer and is notable for its stiff, pleated leaves and resonant, drum-like trunk. Once thought to be restricted to Mitiaro, it was later confirmed on Makatea and Niau in the Tuamotus, likely due to ancient Polynesian voyaging routes2.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; pleonanthic (flowers repeatedly)
Height: 13–33 ft (4–10 m); trunk slightly swollen at base
Trunk: Gray-brown; obscurely ringed; smooth or shallowly fissured; emits hollow sound when struck
Leaves: Costapalmate; bright green; 3.3 ft (1 m) long; 60–66 folds; segments stiff or slightly drooping; undersides waxy with brown punctiform scales
Petioles: 2.6–3 ft (80–90 cm); smooth margins; clasping base
Inflorescence: Infrafoliar; 10–12 panicles present simultaneously; branching to 3–4 orders; peduncle ~2 ft (60 cm), white tomentose
Fruit: Globose; smooth; green turning brown-black; ~0.3 in (7 mm) diameter
Ecology: Grows on makatea (uplifted fossil reef) and degraded forest; elevation 16–330 ft (5–100 m); population ~491 mature individuals on Mitiaro as of 2019
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Partial shade to filtered sun
Watering: Moderate; prefers moist, well-drained soil
Soil: Alkaline limestone; tolerates rocky substrates
Temperature: Prefers 75–88°F (24–31°C); cold sensitive below 35°F (1.5°C)
Humidity: High
Propagation: By seed; germinates in warm, humid conditions
Tolerance: Moderate drought tolerance; sensitive to cold and wind
 
Landscape Use Ideal for tropical island-themed gardens, limestone-based landscapes, and conservation collections. Pairs well with Pritchardia pacifica, Coccothrinax borhidiana, and Pandanus tectorius.