Himalayan screwpine
Pandanus furcatus

Family: Pandanaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub or tree. It has many branches. It grows about 5 m high. The leaves are in spirals towards the ends of branches. They are long and narrow and taper to the tip. They are leathery. The flowers are yellowish. The fruit are spiny.

There are about 600 Pandanus species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 700-1100 m altitude. It grows in moist, shady places. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim

How it is used for food

The juice of the fruit is sucked. The fruit are also used to make pickles. The leaves are cooked and eaten. The seeds are eaten raw.

The fruit are popular with children.

Edible parts

Fruit juice, leaves, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Keura, Mengkuang hutan, Pandan kowang, Tako, Tarica, Tarika

Synonyms

Barrotia diodon Gaudich.; Pandanus bantamensis Koord.; Pandanus crassipes Wall. ex Balf.f.; Pandanus diodon (Gaudich.) Martelli; Pandanus furcatus var. indica Kurz.; Pandanus horridus Reinw. ex Blume [Invalid]; Pandanus nepalensis H. St. John; Pandanus oviger Martelli ex Koord.; Pandanus pseudolais Warb.; Pandanus scabrifolius Martelli ex Koord.; Pandanus spinifructus Dennst.; Rykia furcata (Roxb.) de Vriese;