Pandanus antaresensis
Family: Pandanaceae
What it is like
A branched screwpine with crowns normally at the same height. Fruit are large clusters made up of groups of 5 nuts. The kernels are small and hard to extract. When ripe the fruit turn red and the nuts drop individually.
There are about 600 Pandanus species. They grow in the tropics.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in the highlands from about 1600 to 2500 m altitude. It can be down to 850 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, West Papua
How it is used for food
The kernels are eaten.
Although the trees are fairly common in Papua New Guinea, the nuts are not highly prized because they are hard to extract.
Edible parts
Nuts, seeds
How it is grown
Plants are often self sown but are also planted from seed.
Nuts are usually harvested after they fall. Production is not distinctly seasonal. The outside fibres are burnt off then the shell splits.
Its other names
Local names
Aendashor, Kupili, Mataeng, Mayabuw, Paym, Pem, Pembras