Pandanus whitmeeanus explained

Pandanus whitmeeanus, commonly known as the Samoan pandanus, is a species of Pandanus (screwpine) believed to be native to Vanuatu. It has been introduced to Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, and the Hoorn Islands by Austronesian voyagers. It is also known in Samoan and Tongan as ‘ara ‘āmoa or paogo.^[1]

Taxonomy

Pandanus whitmeeanus was first described in 1905 by the Italian botanist Ugolino Martelli. It is the type species of the section Coronata and is unique among all other Pandanus species in that has centripetally arranged stigmata.^[1]

Description

The tree grows to around 8m (26feet) tall and 20cm (10inches) in width. The leaves are around 2m (07feet) long. The fruits are nearly round in shape and are around 21by in size.^[2]

Uses

The leaves are woven into mats, baskets, and other handicrafts. The fruits are edible.^[3]

See also

• Pandanus amaryllifolius
• Pandanus odoratissimus
• Pandanus utilis
• Domesticated plants and animals of Austronesia

Notes and References

1. Huynh . Kim-Lang . On Some Species of Pandanus and Freycinetia (Pandanaceae) in Micronesia . Garden's Bulletin Singapore . 1999 . 51 . 1999 . 163–174 .
2. Web site: Pandanus whitmeeanus (Pandanaceae) . AgroNeo . 15 January 2019.
3. Web site: Pandanus whitmeeanus Samoan Pandanus . Cook Islands Biodiversity & Natural Heritage . The Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust . 15 January 2019.