Botanical Name : Pandanus utilis
This is one of my favourites because it looks so similar to the Cuban Petticoat Palm (Copernicia macroglossa). Nevertheless, I want to include it here due to it being a close relative of the palm.
A native of Madagascar and Mauritius, this is a handsome tropical tree, not a pine despite being named the Screw Pine.
It is easy to fall for the look of this plant due to its unique design. The flat linear leaves are arranged in a circular fashion around its central axis and fan out at regular intervals in an upward twirl. However do beware that the edges of the leaves bear small sharp spines which could cause an allergic reaction on contact.
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| upward twirl |
In some countries, these dried leaves are made into household items like weaved mats and baskets or used as thatching materials.
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| colour contrast |
The mature tree grows well above 25ft and more. The female plants (flowers) will bear showy pineapple-like fruits, though edible they're not particularly delectable.
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| equidistant |
Architecturally, this makes a stunning landscape piece or focal point in any garden. Its strong aerial roots prop up the plant as though on stilts. It's also called a "walking palm" as been known to move from one spot to another. Just fancy that!
This young specimen sighted at waters edge lakeside Setia Eco Park, Shah Alam.
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