Fragrant screw pine
Pandanus amaryllifolius

Family: Pandanaceae

What it is like

A shrub 2-4 m tall. Often the plant is small due to repeated cutting. It can grow 8 m tall. There are stilt like aerial roots on the stems near the base. It develops suckers and forms clumps. The leaves are arranged in spirals. The leaves are narrow and folded like a fan. They have sharp edges. They are 75 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. They droop about half way along. The plant rarely flowers. The flowers are white and the fruit heads are 20 cm across.

There are about 700 Pandanus species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to SE Asia. It grows in forests ad can grow in full sun or light shade.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, East Africa, East Timor, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are used to scent rice or colour cakes green. They are used for flavouring. Chicken is also wrapped in pandan leaves and deep fried. A strip of leaf about 10 cm long is dropped in the pot during cooking of rice.

The leaves are sold in markets as well as in shops worldwide. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, flavouring

How it is grown

Plants are grown from cuttings. They root easily. They can also be grown from suckers.

Its other names

Local names

Bai toey hom, Bai toey, Ban lan ye, Boro, Curry leaf, Daun pandan, Hedan, La dua, Pandan bau, Pandan rampai, Pandan wangi, Pandan, Pandano, Pandanus leaf, Raampa, Raampe faiy, Rampe, Taey, Toei hom

Synonyms

Pandanus hasskarlii Merr.; Pandanus latifolius Hassk. [Illegitimate]; Pandanus latifolius var. minor Hassk.; Pandanus odorus Ridl.;