Small pandanus
Pandanus polycephalus

Family: Pandanaceae

What it is like

A small erect tree. It forms clumps. It grows 4 m tall. The stems are slender and branched. They are greyish-green and spiny. It has prop roots 40 cm long and slender. The leaves are strap like and dark green above and pale green underneath. They are in rings arranged in spirals. They are 60-85 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. They have sharp spines along the edges. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. Male flowers have a scent. The fruiting body is in a spike 30-35 cm long with 4-7 heads arranged in a group. The fruiting head is round and 7 cm long by 4.5-4.8 cm wide. The fruit is fleshy and bright red when mature.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in Maluku in Indonesia. It grows near seashores in thickets. It can be in swampy places and mangroves.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Caroline Islands, East Africa, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Yap

How it is used for food

The young white leaves are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Leaves, bracts

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bengea, Berel, Chertochet, Denro, Jefe, Keker lainulun, Keker maan, Liliama dowongi, Oro-oro, Pandan kecil, Panreng, Tsirika

Synonyms

Jeanneretia littoralis Gaudich.; Pandanus aimiriikensis Martelli; Pandanus aruensis Martelli; Pandanus brevispathus Martelli; Pandanus columniformis Fagerl.; Pandanus freycinetioides (Gaudich.) Kurz; Pandanus humilis Rumph. ex Miq. [Illegitimate]; Pandanus japensis Martelli; Pandanus kurzianus Solms [Illegitimate]; Pandanus littoralis (Gaurich.) Kurz [Illegitimate]; Pandanus macrojeanneretia Martelli; Pandanus peliliuensis Kaneh.; Souleyetia freycinetioides Gaudich.;