Family name: Pandanaceae (Pandanus family)
English names: Screwpine, Pandanus
Pohnpeian name: Kipar
Kosraen name: Mweng
Chuukese name: Fach
Yapese name: Choy
Habit: Shrub or tree. It grows up to 25 feet (8m) or more in height, with aerial prop roots and prickly stem.
Leaves: Linear leaves spirally arranged at branch tips, up to 6 feet (2m) or more length, M-shaped in cross section, margins and midrib of lower surface prickly (serrate).
Flowers: Male flowers tiny, in dense, white inflorescences with large white bracts. Female flowers in a head. Both appear at branch tips.
Fruit: Globose shape, separated pieces (phalanges) are tooth-like shape (angular), wedge-shape orange sections (prudes) are edible, husk fibrous, one to several-seeded.
Location & Habituation: Pandanus tectorius is native to all the archipelagoes of Micronesia. It is found all over Micronesia due to its growing advantage on rocky and sandy shores of atolls and high islands. Micronesia is mostly consists of atolls and high islands, thus abets the growth of Pandanus tectorius. Pandanus tectorius is a terrestrial plant; it grows on the ground.
Uses: Pandanus tectorius is one of the most useful trees in Micronesia. The leaves, which are the most useful part of the plant, are woven or plaited into mats, thatch, sails, baskets, hats, local fans, marmars, anticrafts, and many other items. Tip of prop roots are eaten and are often used as native medicine in Pohnpei and maybe in other Micronesian islands as well. The fruit is a major source of food in Micronesia especially on the atolls. They can be eaten raw or cooked. Either way, it is very healthy. Besides serving as a food, its fibrous helps clean the teeth, acting as a natural dental floss.
Overall Summary: In English this cultivated tree is known as the "Screwpine." Kipar in Pohnpei; Fach in Chuuk; Mweng in Kosrae; and Choy in Yap. Pandanus tectorius is native to Micronesia. It was brought to Pohnpei by the early Micronesians. Pandanus tectorius is a wide-branched tree that grows up to heights of about 25 feet (8m). The prickly trunk has few to many aerial prop roots and the leaves are long (up to 6 feet, 3m) with serrated magins (thorny leaf edges). The large edible fruit is an aggregate of many angular, wedge-shaped orange sections (drupes). Although it does grow from seed, the fruit rarely does produce seed. This is a strong indication that people have been reproducing Pandanus tectorius by planting cuttings for many generations. Besides serving as a food, the fibrous helps clean the teeth, acting as a natural dental floss. The dried leaves are used to weave hats, baskets, mats, and other items. The tips of the aerial roots are used in traditional medicine.
Specimen photographed and web page created by: Jenson Santos, October 1998.
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