The highly irritating juice of the fruit was once used as a sort of 'pepper spray' for defense. Photo from a Rungus Longhouse, northernmost Sabah, Borneo.
Ugly and thorny, but widely planted and appreciated for its fruit. Also known as the Ruffle Palm or as Mararay, and as Macahuitl after an Aztec weapon. Photo from an estate near Manizales, Colombia.In context at www.dixpix.ca/meso_america/Flora/palms/index.html
Loulu or Loulu hiwaArecaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian IslandsOahu (Cultivated)Loulu, pronounced low-loo, means "umbrella," because the leaves were formerly used as protection from rain or sun.The fruits, called hwane or whane, were peeled and eaten by early Hawaiians. They collected young fruits. The flavor of young fruit with the soft interior is similar to coconut. The trunks loulu were notched for climbing to gather the immature fruits and fronds. Older specimens still bear notches that can be seen today.The fronds, or leaves, called lau hwane were used by the early Hawaiians for thatching and more recently as plaiting such as papale (hats) and fans.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Pritchardia_martii
One of the fan palms referred to as Palma de Escoba, used to make brooms. Native to Panama, where it is known as Nupa and to Colombia where it is called Barbarasco. Photo from the San Blas Mountains, northeastern Panama.In context at www.dixpix.ca/meso_america/Flora/palms/index.html
LouluArecaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii Island only)IUCN: EndangeredOahu (Cultivated)Loulu, pronounced low-loo, means "umbrella," because the leaves were formerly used as protection from rain or sun.The fruits, called hwane or whane, were peeled and eaten by early Hawaiians. They collected young fruits. The flavor of young fruit with the soft interior is similar to coconut. The trunks loulu were notched for climbing to gather the immature fruits and fronds. Older specimens still bear notches that can be seen today.The fronds, or leaves, called lau hwane were used by the early Hawaiians for thatching and more recently as plaiting such as papale (hats) and fans.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Pritchardia_lanigera