Pandanus kirkii

Rendle

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Description

A pandanus tree. It grows 15 m tall. It has stilt roots The leaves are 0.9-1.5 m long. They clasp the trunk at the base. The fruiting head is8-18 cm long by 5-16 cm wide. They are yellow-brown when ripe.

Edible Uses

Although no specific records have yet been seen for this species, most members of this genus have more or less edible fruits, seeds and inner leaf bases. The cylindrical fruit is a syncarp made up of a number of individual drupes. Individual drupes are hard, woody wedges - each containing a few, slender seeds. Each wedge has a fleshy base imbued with a sweet-smelling, orange pulp that in many species has a delicious flavour. This pulp needs to be cooked in order to destroy a deleterious substance. The syncarp of this species is about 8 - 18cm x 5 - 16cm. The seed often has a delicious nutty flavour when eaten raw or cooked, though it is fiddly to extract. Seeds contain 44 - 50% fat and 20 - 34% protein. Inner base of young leaves - raw.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows near the sea.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania,

Cultivation

Species in this genus generally grow well in most moist, well-dained soils and a sunny position Branches do not have dormant buds and so will not resprout if cut back into the old wood. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruits and seed are required.

Propagation

Seed - best pre-soaked for 24 hours prior to sowing.

Other Uses

The leaves are used for thatching. Although we have seen no specific records for this species, the leaves of most members of this genus are used locally for weaving a range of items such as mats, bags and baskets. The leaves, which are usually tough and fibrous, are long, narrow and sword-shaped and can easily be split into strips for weaving. The leaves of this species are 90 - 300cm long, 47 - 66mm wide at the base, toothed along the margins and midrib.