Pandanus amaryllifolius – Native Plant Search

Native Range

A native plant refers to a species of plant that has naturally evolved and grown in a particular geographic area without any human intervention or introduction. These plants have adapted to the local climate, soil, and ecological conditions over an extended period of time, often thousands of years. Because of this co-evolution with their specific environment, native plants have developed characteristics that make them well-suited to the local ecosystem and provide essential resources for local wildlife.

Native plants play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of an area. They provide food and habitat for native wildlife, support pollinators like bees and butterflies, and contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem. Additionally, native plants often require fewer resources like water and fertilizers compared to non-native or exotic plants that may not be well-suited to the local environment.

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Native Continent

Australasia

Maluku

Natural Habitat

Edible Uses

The fragrant young leaves are cooked and eaten . They are also often used, both fresh or dried, to flavour rice, cassava etc., especially in sweet dishes . Juice extracted from leaves is used to add fragrance to various types of teas and desserts. Desserts include cakes and kueh. The aromatic leaves give a garlic-like flavour to food . Delicious, they add a distinctive musky odour and a natural green colour . The chlorophyll pigments in the leaves will colour foods green. The leaves are also used to wrap other foods, such as rice dumplings . The leaves are not consumed but are removed from the dish before serving. In Indonesia, rice is sometimes steamed in baskets made of the leaves. Thai people wrap the leaves around pieces of seasoned chicken and then fry them. In Southeast Asia, the leaves are often used to make small boxes or containers that can hold pudding or jellies. Although no specific records have yet been seen for this species, most members of this genus have more or less edible fruits, seeds and inner leaf bases . The cylindrical fruit is a syncarp made up of several individual drupes . Individual drupes are hard, woody wedges - each containing a few slender seeds . Each wedge has a fleshy base imbued with a sweet-smelling, orange pulp that, in many species, has a delicious flavour. This pulp needs to be cooked to destroy a harmful substance . The seed often has a delicious nutty flavour when eaten raw or cooked, though it is fiddly to extract . Seeds contain 44 - 50% fat and 20 - 34% protein . The inner base of young leaves - raw .