Freycinetia excelsa

F. Muell.

Slender Climbing Pandan

Pandanaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 356 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Freycinetia excelsa is a species of climbing plant in the family Pandanaceae. Naturally found growing in northern and eastern Australia, as far south as the Tweed Valley in New South Wales.

Description

It partly attaches to and grows from other plants. It is an evergreen vine. It climbs to a height of 30 m. The stem is vigorous with many branches. It scrambles over logs and rocks. The stem is less than 1 cm across. The leaves are fairly rigid and curve and have spiny edges. They are 30-50 cm long and 0.6-0.8 cm wide. The form a short sheath around the stem at their base. The flowers are small and have red bracts around them. The bracts are 5-7 cm long by 2.5-3.5 cm wide. The female heads are in groups of 1-4 and are 3-4 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The male spikes are in groups of 1-3 and are 2-3 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide. The fruit is a cluster of berries. Each berry is 0.7 cm across and they are bright red. The fruit are produced at the stem tips. The fruit are edible

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten, though they burn the back of the throat, possibly due to oxalates.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten but burn the back of the throat possibly due to oxalates.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

Fruit may burn the back of the throat, possibly due to oxalates.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical places. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 1250 m altitude. It needs a protected, partly shady position. It is damaged by drought and frost.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG,

Cultivation

It is grown by dividing the stem. They can be grown from seed.

Production

In Australia, fruit occur from January to April.

Notes

There are about 100-175 Freycinetia species.

Synonyms

Freycinetia gladiifolia Martelli

Also Known As

Giant climbing pandan

References (10)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 481
Cooper W & Cooper W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 144
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 382
Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 255
Edible and Useful Native Plants (off internet)

Show all 10 references

Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1992, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 4. Lothian. p 318
Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 72
Jones, D.L. & Gray, B., 1977, Australian Climbing Plants. Reed. p 104
Nicholson, N & H., 1994, Australian Rainforest Plants 4, Terania Rainforest Publishing. NSW. p 36
Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 220