Scirpodendron ghaeri

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A herb or sedge. It keeps growing from year to year. It is coarse and has a woody rhizome. It grows 25-35 cm tall. The leaves are near the base and are like Pandanus leaves. These can be 100-230 cm long and 2-5 cm wide. They have teeth along the edge. The flower group are oval and 6-15 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The fruit are 8-16 mm long and 6-11 mm wide. They are oval and angular and fleshy.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on the edges of marshes from sea level to 150 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Micronesia, Pacific, Palau, Philippines, Pohnpei, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The succulent layer of the fruit is eaten.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, nutlets

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Lau 'ie'ie, Pwoaki, Rau mena

Synonyms

Chionanthus ghaeri Gaertn.; Hypolytrum costatum Thw.; Scirpodendron costatum Kurz.;