Lauterbach's pandan
Benstonea lauterbachii

Family: Pandanaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree up to 5 m tall. It spreads 2-3 m across the crown. It does not have prop roots. The leaves are simple and 1-2 m long. Leaves are 4-6 cm wide and strap shaped. They are dark green and shiny above and paler underneath. The edges of the leaves and the underside on the midrib have teeth. Trees are separately male and female. The male flower is 50-90 cm long. It hangs down and has broad white bracts. The female flowering stalk is 70-90 cm long. It is branched and has 7-9 spikes. The fruit is up to 10-17 cm long by 8-12 cm wide. They hang in bunches of 7-9 heads. They contain several seeds. Each segment is tipped with a prickly point. The seeds are about 1.5 cm long. The flesh is edible. Now Benstonea lauterbachii (K. Schum. & Warb.) Callm. & Buerki;

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They grow naturally in rainforests in NE Queensland in Australia, usually near streams. It is also in Papua New Guinea. It grows in rainforest near mangroves.

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 flesh is edible but it can sting the mouth.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from young plantlets near the base of other plants.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pandanus lauterbachii K. Schum. & Warb.