Pandanus rigidifolius explained

Pandanus rigidifolius is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.^[1]

Description

A low, small, spreading, many-branched tree. It produces many stilt-like roots, along the trunk, but also along the length of the side branches.

It can be distinguished by its compact (often trifarious) rosettes of small, rigid, erect, red-spined, deep blue-green leaves. These are usually only 75 cm long and 6 cm wide, folded lengthwise (reduplicate), stiff, erect, and have an abrupt, obtuse leaf tip. The reddish spines are closely set along the margins of the leaves.

The small (7–8 cm) fruit head is held erect on a short peduncle, and it is enclosed in three-ranked (trifarious) bracts. Each fruit head is packed with 200–220 small, unilocular drupes, with slightly convex tips.

In its appearance, it is most similar to the other dwarf Mauritian species Pandanus microcarpus as well as the Madagascan species Pandanus microcephalus. Another Mauritian species, Pandanus drupaceus, though a larger shrub or tree, also has rigid, incurved leaves.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Distribution

It was endemic to Mauritius, where it was formerly common in the damp wetlands of the highlands near Le Petrin and Les Mares.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Pandanus rigidifolius | International Plant Names Index .
2. Vaughan RE, Wiehe PO (1953) The genus Pandanus in the Mascarene Islands. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Botany 55(356): 1-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8339.1953.tb00001.x.
3. Strahm, W.A. 1993. The conservation and restoration of the flora of Mauritius and Rodrigues. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis (2 vols.), Reading University, UK.
4. Vaughan, R.E. and Wiehe, P.O. 1953. Flore des Mascareignes, Genus Pandanus. The Sugar Industry Research Institute, Mauritius, ORSTOM, Paris and RBG, Kew.