pandanus

Pandanus, commonly known as screw pine, is a genus of several hundred species of evergreen trees and shrubs in the family Pandanaceae. Native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific, pandanus species occupy coastal and inland habitats ranging from mangroves to rainforest margins and dry hillsides. Many species have distinctive prop roots and a crown of long, narrow, strap-like leaves arranged around the stem.

Most pandanus are dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Inflorescences arise in leaf axils; female inflorescences develop into a fleshy, dome-shaped syncarp—the screw pine fruit—composed of multiple drupes arranged around a central axis. Pollination and fruit development vary among species, with some relying on wind or animals to facilitate reproduction. Seeds are often dispersed by birds or water.

Habitat and growth forms vary, but pandanus are typically found in tropical coastal and inland environments. They tolerate salt spray and poor soils and are common on beaches, in mangroves, and on rainforest margins. The prop roots provide stability in loose soils and tidal areas.

Uses are diverse. Leaves are widely used for weaving mats, baskets, hats, and thatching. The leaf aroma of Pandanus amaryllifolius, known as pandan, is valued in Southeast Asian cuisine for its distinctive fragrance. Some species produce edible fruit, and fibers from the plant are used in textiles and crafts. In addition to practical uses, pandanus is cultivated ornamentally in tropical landscapes and plays a role in various traditional practices across its range.