Pandanus utilis

Pandanus utilis with fruit.

Pandanus utilis is a species of the genus of screw pines (Pandanus ) in the family of screw pine plants ( Pandanaceae ). The first description of Jean Baptiste Georges Genevieve Marcellin Bory was published in 1804 ..

Description

Pandanus utilis is an evergreen plant that produces one to about 6 feet tall trunk. Older specimens develop stilt roots, which increase the stability and storm resistance of the plant. Sometimes the lower stem dies and the plant lives, powered only by the stilt roots further. Pandanus utilis has very long sword-shaped leaves, which are sharp-edged and on the edge armed with single spines. The leaves are spirally arranged.

Pandanus utilis is dioecious ( dioecious ). The male flowers are fragrant. The female flowers are sessile to about 100 or more in a cluster; it is a pineapple -like fruit association, which consists of many small stone fruit ( drupe Association ) developed. The more or less spherical false fruits are edible, but not particularly tasty.

Dissemination

The home of Pandanus utilis is located in the western Indian Ocean to Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands (Mauritius and Réunion).

Today the species is introduced in other parts of the world with a subtropical climate; among other things, it is planted in the West Indies as well as in California and Florida.

Use

The leaves or from fibers obtained can be used inter alia for covering roofs or processed into packaging material, mats and baskets.

Swell

• Short Description for killerplants.com (English )