Cook's screw pine
Pandanus cookii

Family: Pandanaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 6-10 m tall. The leaves are in tufts and stiff and thorny. They are 1.3-1.8 m long and triangle shaped with sharp spines along the edge. They are in crowded spirals along the branch ends. It can have aerial roots. The flowers are cream in a large spike at the end of the branch. Male and female flowers are in separate plants. The fruit are large and 20-30 cm across. These are made up of several wedge shaped fruit. They are orange-red when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in north Queensand. It is often in poorly drained or flood prone areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The white base of the fruit is eaten raw. The small white seed inside the fruit is eaten raw. Caution: The flesh is not edible and can irritate the mouth.

Edible parts

Fruit base, nut

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. Seeds are best soaked in water for 1-5 days before sowing. It can be grown from suckers at the base.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pandanus angulatus H. St. John; Pandanus australiensis H. St. John; Pandanus endeavourensis H. St. John; Pandanus exarmatus H. St. John; Pandanus ferrimontanus H. St. John; Pandanus humifer H. St. John; Pandanus kennedyensis H. St. John; Pandanus pluriangulatus H. St. John; Pandanus subinermis H. St. John; Pandanus truncatus H. S. John; Pandanus whitei Martelli;