Pritchardia thurstonii
 
Common Names Lau Fan Palm
 
Zones 10b–11
 
A rare, solitary fan palm endemic to the Lau Group of eastern Fiji, Pritchardia thurstonii is adapted to rugged coastal limestone terrain and salt-laden winds. It is distinguished by its stiff leaf segments, waxy undersides, and inflorescences that often exceed the leaf blades in fruit. In habitat, it grows in spectacular fashion atop mushroom-shaped karst islets and cliff escarpments, nearly to the exclusion of other woody vegetation.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing
Height: Up to 26 ft (8 m); trunk slender and erect, occasionally serpentine
Trunk: Gray; smooth or shallowly fissured; emits a hollow sound when struck
Leaves: Costapalmate; flat; divided ⅕–¼ into stiff segments; abaxial surface waxy-glaucous with lepidia in parallel lines
Petioles: 2.6–3 ft (80–90 cm); few fibers at base; smooth margins
Inflorescence: 1 panicle per leaf axil; often exceeds leaf blade in fruit; branched to 2–3 orders
Fruit: Globose; ~0.3 in (7 mm) diameter; black when ripe
Ecology: Native to Vanuabalavu, Vulaga, and Ogea Driki (Fiji) and Eua (Tonga); grows on coastal cliffs, limestone boulders, and salt-exposed islets
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Moderate; prefers 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: Moderate to high
Propagation: By seed; germinates in warm, humid conditions
Tolerance: High salt and wind tolerance; ideal for coastal exposure
 
Landscape Use Ideal for tropical coastal gardens, limestone-based landscapes, and Polynesian-themed plantings. Pairs well with Pritchardia pacifica, Coccothrinax borhidiana, and Pandanus tectorius.