Pandanus monticola

F. Muell.

Rainforest Screw Pine, Urchin-fruited pandan

Pandanaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below

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Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows up to 3-5 m tall and spreads 1-4 m wide. The stems are slender and almost climbing. There are no prop roots. The leaves are simple and 1-2 m long by 5-7 cm wide. The edges of the leaves have teeth. The midrib also has teeth. The tips of the leaves are often drooping. The male flowering stalk is branched and 10-15 cm long. The male spike is 5-7 cm long. It has cream or white bracts below it. The female flower is unbranched and has white bracts. The fruiting heads are up to 12 cm long by 8 cm wide. They occur singly and are very prickly. They contain many seeds. The seeds are 4-10 mm long. The flesh is edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit flesh is edible.

Traditional Uses

The flesh is edible but it can irritate the mouth.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

The flesh can irritate the mouth.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in rainforest in NE Queensland in Australia. It grows from sea level to 840 m altitude. They grow in shade. Plants fruit better in sunny locations. It needs well drained soil. In Cairns BG. In Townsville Anderson BG.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from fresh seed.

Notes

There are about 600 Pandanus species. They grow in the tropics.

Synonyms

Pandanus pluvisilvaticus H. St John

Also Known As

Urchin-fruited pandan, Scrub breadfruit

References (6)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 758
Cooper W & Cooper W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 214
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 387
Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 252
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1997, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 7. Lothian. p 154 (Drawing)

Show all 6 references