Rainforest Screw Pine, Urchin-fruited pandan
Pandanus monticola

Family: Pandanaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows up to 3-5 m tall and spreads 1-4 m wide. The stems are slender and almost climbing. There are no prop roots. The leaves are simple and 1-2 m long by 5-7 cm wide. The edges of the leaves have teeth. The midrib also has teeth. The tips of the leaves are often drooping. The male flowering stalk is branched and 10-15 cm long. The male spike is 5-7 cm long. It has cream or white bracts below it. The female flower is unbranched and has white bracts. The fruiting heads are up to 12 cm long by 8 cm wide. They occur singly and are very prickly. They contain many seeds. The seeds are 4-10 mm long. The flesh is edible.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in rainforest in NE Queensland in Australia. It grows from sea level to 840 m altitude. They grow in shade. Plants fruit better in sunny locations. It needs well drained soil. In Cairns BG. In Townsville Anderson BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The flesh is edible but it can irritate the mouth.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed.

Its other names

Local names

Urchin-fruited pandan, Scrub breadfruit

Synonyms

Pandanus pluvisilvaticus H. St John;