Spring Pandanus, Screw Palm, Lidool
Pandanus spiralis
Family: Pandanaceae
What it is like
A tree which grows to 10 m high. It has prickly leaves. The trunk is marked with leaf scars. It does not have prop roots. Trees are separately male and female. The leaves are crowded towards the ends of branches. They are arranged in spirals. They are stiff, leathery and V shaped. They are widest at the base and taper to the tip. Leaves are 1.5-2 m long by 4-7 cm wide. They are often bent downwards from about one third of their length. There are small thorns along the edge. The flowers occur as male and female flowers on separate plants. The flowers are small and white. They occur in dense spikes near the ends of branches. These spikes are 3-7 cm long and enclosed with bracts. The fruit are wedge shaped. They are woody. Fruit are 5-7 cm long by 5-8 cm wide and occur in clusters of 8-25. These heads are 15-20 cm across. They hang below the crown and are orange red when ripe. There are several varieties.
There are about 600 Pandanus species. They grow in the tropics.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical places. It grows in a range of different sites. Often they are near the edges of swamps and ponds or along streams. It can grow in sun or light shade. It can tolerate salty locations. It does well in a humid climate. They are sensitive to frost. They can tolerate a wide range of pH values. In Townsville palmetum.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, SE Asia, Torres Strait
How it is used for food
The fruit kernels are eaten raw but preferably roasted. The ends of the fresh fruit are sucked or chewed for juice. A preparation from the core of the stem is eaten. This may be as medicine. A drink is made from the crushed fruit.
Edible parts
Kernels, nuts, seeds, leaf bases, fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from fresh seed. They grow best if removed from the woody shells and soaked for 24 hours. Plants can be grown by removing suckers.
There are about 15 seeds per fruit and there can be 30 fruit in a head.
Its other names
Local names
Arbaal, Bomer, Gunga, Habal, Idul, Jangawa, Makunguk, Manhara, Miyaringa, Pandan spiral