Veiny Climbing Pandan
Freycinetia percostata
Family: Pandanaceae
What it is like
A root climber. It is woody and bushy. The stems are 2 cm across. The leaves are simple and 38-52 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are organised in spirals around the stem. The edges of the leaves on the underside have teeth. The flowering cluster has bright orange to pink bracts underneath it. These are 20 cm long. There are 3-4 female heads which are 5-6.5 cm long by 0.8-0.9 cm wide. They are like a cylinder. The male spikes are 9-13 cm long by 0.6-0.8 cm wide. They are pale orange. The fruit are 14-30 cm long by 2.5-4.5 cm wide and occur singly or in twos. They have many small seeds. The flesh is edible.
There are about 100-175 Freycinetia species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It needs a shady location. It needs a sturdy tree trunk to climb. It grows naturally in rainforests in NE Queensland in Australia. It grows from sea level to 450 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
How it is used for food
The flesh is edible in small amounts but it may sting the mouth and throat.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from cuttings.