Common screwpine

Within the family Pandanaceae, the genus Pandanus composes the largest genus. It is estimated that there are between 500 and 1,000 species within this genus; the Plants of the World Online database accepts 562 species. Pandanus utilis, otherwise known as the common screwpine, is one species in this genus. It was discovered by the French naturalist Jean Baptiste Bory de Saint-Vincent in 1801–02 and described in 1804. The origin of P. utilis has traditionally been thought to be Madagascar, but more recently the Mascarene Islands have been suggested as a possible place of origin. A long history of cultivation and transport to many parts of the world makes the origin difficult to trace. However, it is now grown in Senegal, Benin, Tanzania, Madagascar, Réunion, Maldives and Mauritius. P. utilis has been introduced to many tropical and subtropical regions, including Central America, the Caribbean, the United States (southern Florida, Puerto Rico), Brazil, India, Japan (Okinawa), and Indonesia.

Morphology. Pandanus utilis is a palm-like evergreen tree, ranging in height up to 20 metres (66 ft). As with many Pandanus, the trunk has aerial prop roots. It is found in tropical areas, and has an upright trunk that is smooth with many horizontal spreading branches with annular leaf scars. Old leaf scars spiral around the branches and trunk, like a screw. …

P. utilis grows well near the sea, being salt-tolerant. It is a strictly tropical tree that will not survive frost. It grows in full sun to partial shade but prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Seeds take two to three months to germinate.