Pandanus spiralis

Pandanus spiralis is native to northern Australia. It is commonly called common screwpine,[2] iidool,[2] pandanus palm, screw pine,[3] screw palm or spring pandanus.[2] It is neither a true palm,[4] nor a pine.

Pandanus spiralis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Pandanales
Family: Pandanaceae
Genus: Pandanus
Species:
P. spiralis
Binomial name
Pandanus spiralis
Synonyms[1]
  • Pandanus convexus H.St.John
  • Pandanus integer H.St.John
  • Pandanus thermalis H.St.John

Distribution

Pandanus spiralis occurs in Queensland, Northern NSW, The Northern Territory and the extreme north of Western Australia.

The plant is most commonly found growing along watercourses or coastal fringes and dune systems.[5]

Description

Pandanus spiralis is a shrub or small tree up to 10 metres in height. It has long, spiny leaves organised in a spiral arrangement. The plant bears a large, pineapple-like cluster of fruit that turn orange-red when ripe.

Wildlife including birds take advantage of the spiny leaves by living in the tree for protection. They also favor its fruit.

Uses

The leaves of P. spiralis can be used to weave neckbands and armbands.[6] The fibre of the leaves can be used as string for dillybags.[7] Other uses include baskets, mats, and shelters.[8] In addition, mashed leaves can be used to cure headaches when tied around the head.[9] The Burarra people use the plant to make fish traps.[10]

The fruit's seeds can also be ground to make flour.[11]

  • Fallen fruit of Pandanus spiralis
  • Pandanus spiralis growing on a Coastal cliff

References
  1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  2. "Australian Plant Names Index". Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  3. "Pandanus spiralis". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  4. "Screw Palm". Australian Trees. Retrieved 2006-11-22.
  5. "Pandanus spiralis" (in German). Retrieved 2006-11-22.
  6. "Pandanus armband". Uw Oykangand and Uw Olkola Multimedia Dictionary. Archived from the original on October 25, 2009. Retrieved 2006-11-22.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. "Pandanus". Uw Oykangand and Uw Olkola Multimedia Dictionary. Archived from the original on October 25, 2009. Retrieved 2006-11-22.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. "Pandanus". PhotographyTips.com. Retrieved 2006-11-22.
  9. "screw palm". Retrieved 2006-11-22.
  10. "New Page 1". Top End Native Plant Society. Retrieved 2006-11-22.
  11. "Flora and Fauna". Archived from the original on 2006-08-20. Retrieved 2006-11-22.
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