Climbing pandan
Freycinetia scandens

Family: Pandanaceae

What it is like

A climbing shrub. It climbs up trees to a height of 15 m. The stem is about 1 cm across. The leaves and narrow and thin. They are rather loosely set on the stem. Leaves are 6-12 cm long and 1-2.5 cm wide. The tip of the leaf is pointed. The leaf sheaths do not overlap. They are finely toothed along the edge and on the midrib underneath. The flower branches are oval and 3-4 together. The fruit are about 5.5 cm long by 4 cm wide. They can occur singly or in clusters at the end of the stems. They have many seeds. The fruit when ripe are red. There are small projections over the surface of the fruit.

There are about 100-175 Freycinetia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in the rainforest and in mixed forest. It requires a shady position. It needs plenty of water year round.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten but burn the mouth.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from cuttings or by division of the plant. It can also be grown from very fresh seed.

In Australia, fruit occur from January to May.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Freycinetia propinqua Domin.; Freycinetia gaudichaudii R.Br. & Bennet; Freycinetia gonocarpa Moore; Freycinetia muelleri Martelli;