ENDEMIC PALMS OF HAWAII 325 



free; on slightly older leaves the segments gradually become free 

 as the leaf enlarges. The seedling leaves are 8 to 14 inches 

 long and 3 to 4 inches wide. The seedling usually has 5 to 8 

 leaves. 



In the dense forest which closes both the steep slopes and 

 the less rugged parts of the montane districts, the young loulu 

 palms do not have adequate sp,ace for lateral expansion. All 

 available space is monopohzed by the strongly-competing vege- 

 tation. The lonlii petioles are upright and more or less etio- 

 lated. Along the streamways, however, there is more room 

 at least over the stream itself, and in these situations the young 

 loulus fonn beautiful rosettes, 20 feet in diameter and 18 feet 

 high, with maturing leaves at every angle from vertical to 

 horizontal. 



The region at the summit of the trunk which is occupied by 

 the leaf-bases is usually a veritable microcosm of epiphytic plants 

 and minor animal forms. A considerable quantity of litter and 

 humus accumulates on the broad upper surfaces of the close-set 

 petiole-bases. In this aerial garden germinate the spores and 

 seeds of various forest plants. Ferns, vines, creepers, and even 

 small shrubs and trees grow thus epiphytically in the pahn 

 crowns. 



The petioles and trunks often support a rich flora of liver- 

 worts, mosses, filmy ferns, lichens, and other minor epiphytes. 

 The blade itself is usually clear and free from epiphyllous forms. 



Inflorescence : There are usually 10 to 18 (sometimes more) 

 spadices, in various stages of development. All parts of the 

 inflorescence, except the flowers themselves, are covered with 

 dense scurfy- wool. There is considerable variation as to the 

 quantity and distribution of this wool. The infloresence is a 

 thrice-branching panicle on a long acillary peduncle, enclosed at 

 first in several thick coriaceous, cylindrical spathes. P. Thur- 

 stonii Drude and several Hawaiian fonns are characterized by 

 long slender inflorescences, like fishing-rods, bearing a thyrse-like 

 inflorescence. Usually the inflorescence is 2 to 3 feet long, it 

 continues to develop slowly until all the fruits are mature. The 

 spathes are 5, lanceolate-oblong, furfuraceous externally, and in 



