Screw palm / pine, vacoaPandanus eydouxia
Category
- Forests
Description
Pandanus eydouxia is a tall tree 12m high, very branched and has a crown that forms a large dome. Its trunk 25cm in diameter and the bark of the tree is grey and cracked and younger stems have foliar scars. Stilt roots are present only at the base of the trunk. Its leaves are linear, and gradually narrow at the tip and has margins with small, white spines.
It is distinguished by its large rounded fruit-head that can reach up to 25 cm in diameter and is held upright by a short pendacle. Each fruit-head can hold up 15 to 25 drupes.
Habitat and ecology
Commonly found in upland area and humid zones. It usually grows in small colonies on the banks of rivers or in native thickets, in areas of high rainfall.
Conservation and threats
This species is considered ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List. The main population is found in the National Park and it is protected under the forest restoration project. The population size is reducing due to habitat loss and the invasion of exotic plants.
Did you know?
Dry leaves are used in basket making, for making mats, bags, hats or for decorative purposes.
The size of the syncarp or fruit-head, is the same as a soccer ball, and its surface resembles that of a tortoise shell.
Given the size of the drupes, it is obvious that turtles disperse them.
