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Screw Pine or Pandanus Palm

Pandanus spiralis

Description:

Pandanus spiralis is shrub or small tree up to 10 metres in height native to northern Australia. It is commonly called screw pine, pandanus palm or screw palm despite being neither a true palm,nor a pine. It has spined leaves in a spiral arrangement. Wildlife including birds take advantage of the spiny leaves by living in the tree for protection. They also favour its fruit. P. spiralis' leaves can be used to weave neckbands and armbands. The fibre of the leaves can be used as string for dillybags. Other uses include baskets, mats, and shelters. In addition, mashed leaves can be used to cure headaches when tied around the head. The Burarra people use the plant to make fish traps. The plant bears a large, pineapple-like fruit that turns red when ripe. Humans can extract the fruit's seeds, grinding them into flour. ~ Wikipedia

Habitat:

Pandanus spiralis grows in Queensland, The Northern Territory and extreme north of Western Australia. The plant is most commonly found growing along watercourses or coastal fringes and dune systems.

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LeanneGardner
Spotted by
LeanneGardner

Queensland, Australia

Spotted on Sep 27, 2012
Submitted on Sep 27, 2012

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