Pandanus balfourii

Pandanus balfourii (Vakwa bordmer) is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, one of four Pandanus species that are endemic to the Seychelles.

Pandanus balfourii
Pandanus balfourii growing in the Seychelles Botanical Gardens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Pandanales
Family: Pandanaceae
Genus: Pandanus
Species:
P. balfourii
Binomial name
Pandanus balfourii
Martelli

Description

Pandanus balfourii is a small, slender, elegant tree of about 8 meters in height, with small supporting roots, and bearing its drooping leaves in spiral rosettes. Its medium-sized fruit-body (25 cm) hangs from the stem and contain 70-90 individual fruits.

Distribution and habitat

It is endemic to Seychelles, and was especially common on all the granitic islands. It was formerly extremely common along the coast, and its local name "Vakwa bordmer" refers to this habitat preference. However, it has been known to live in more rocky areas at higher altitudes too. It is threatened by habitat loss.[2]

Other indigenous Pandanus of the Seychelles include Pandanus sechellarum, Pandanus hornei and Pandanus multispicatus. The Madagascan species Pandanus utilis is introduced and is now also widespread.

  • Detail of the rosette and drooping leaves of Pandanus balfourii.
  • Detail of the small stilt-roots of Pandanus balfouri.

References
  1. Ismail, S.; Huber, M.J. & Mougal, J. (2011). "Pandanus balfourii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T30507A9554877. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T30507A9554877.en.
  2. "Pandanus balfourii (Balfour's Pandanus)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2011-12-10.


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