Pandanus spiralis
R. Br.
Spring Pandanus, Screw Palm, Lidool
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Summary
Source: WikipediaPandanus spiralis is a small tree in the family Pandanaceae native to northern Australia. It is commonly called pandanus, spring pandanus, screw palm or screw pine, although it is neither a palm nor a pine.
Description
A tree which grows to 10 m high. It has prickly leaves. The trunk is marked with leaf scars. It does not have prop roots. Trees are separately male and female. The leaves are crowded towards the ends of branches. They are arranged in spirals. They are stiff, leathery and V shaped. They are widest at the base and taper to the tip. Leaves are 1.5-2 m long by 4-7 cm wide. They are often bent downwards from about one third of their length. There are small thorns along the edge. The flowers occur as male and female flowers on separate plants. The flowers are small and white. They occur in dense spikes near the ends of branches. These spikes are 3-7 cm long and enclosed with bracts. The fruit are wedge shaped. They are woody. Fruit are 5-7 cm long by 5-8 cm wide and occur in clusters of 8-25. These heads are 15-20 cm across. They hang below the crown and are orange red when ripe. There are several varieties.
Edible Uses
The fruit kernels are eaten raw or roasted. The ends of fresh fruit are sucked or chewed for juice. A preparation from the core of the stem is consumed. A drink is made from crushed fruit. Leaf bases are also edible.
Traditional Uses
The fruit kernels are eaten raw but preferably roasted. The ends of the fresh fruit are sucked or chewed for juice. A preparation from the core of the stem is eaten. This may be as medicine. A drink is made from the crushed fruit.
Medicinal Uses
The leaves of this tree are used to weave various products such as neckbands, armbands, baskets, mats, fish traps and shelters, and the fibre can be stripped out to make string for dillybags and other uses. The trunks are used to build rafts. The plant has a number of medicinal uses including as an antiseptic, analgesic, and to treat dysentery and diarrhoea.. The white stem part of the leaf is pounded to make an anaesthetic for tooth pain. The leaf bases are eaten and the seeds can be eaten raw or roasted, and may be ground to make flour. The fully ripe fruit are used ceremonially because of their scent.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical places. It grows in a range of different sites. Often they are near the edges of swamps and ponds or along streams. It can grow in sun or light shade. It can tolerate salty locations. It does well in a humid climate. They are sensitive to frost. They can tolerate a wide range of pH values. In Townsville palmetum.
Where It Grows
Asia, Australia*, Indonesia, SE Asia, Torres Strait,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from fresh seed. They grow best if removed from the woody shells and soaked for 24 hours. Plants can be grown by removing suckers.
Propagation
Seed - best pre-soaked for 24 hours prior to sowing.
Other Uses
The tough, fibrous leaves are used for weaving bags, cloaks etc. The leaves, which are usually tough and fibrous, are long, narrow and sword-shaped and can easily be split into strips for weaving. The soft trunks have been lashed together to make rafts.
Production
There are about 15 seeds per fruit and there can be 30 fruit in a head.
Notes
There are about 600 Pandanus species. They grow in the tropics.
Nutrition
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kernel | 3 | 2403 | 575 | 25.9 | — | — | 6.6 | 0.8 |
Also Known As
Arbaal, Bomer, Gunga, Habal, Idul, Jangawa, Makunguk, Manhara, Miyaringa, Pandan spiral
References (35)
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- Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 253
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