Freycinetia banksii
A. Cunn.
Kiekie
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Summary
Source: WikipediaFreycinetia banksii, commonly known as kiekie, is a densely branched, brittle, woody climber native to New Zealand. It is a member of the screwpalm family Pandanaceae.
Description
A woody climber. It attaches to the trunk of trees by roots. It grows 30 m tall. The leaves are yellow-green. They are 150 cm long by 2-2.5 cm wide. They are crowded in bunches at the ends of the branched stems. The leaves are arranged in spirals. The male and female flowers are separate. The flowers have sweet smelling edible bracts. The female flowers are in cylinder shaped spikes. The fruit are yellowish berries. They are edible.
Edible Uses
The yellowish berries and flower bracts are edible.
Distribution
It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in coastal and lowland forests. It is common in swamp forests and gullies. It grows in shady places.
Where It Grows
Asia, Indonesia, New Zealand*, SE Asia,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.
Production
Plants only flower every 7 to 10 years.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Pandan kiki
References (2)
- Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 930
- www.taranakiplants.net.nz/natives/lowland/kieie.html
