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Pandanus pygmaeus Thouars
| Family Name: | Pandanaceae |
| Synonyms: | Freycinetia leucacantha, Foullioya graminifolia, Freycinetia racemosa, Pandanus racemosus |
| Common Name: | Small Screwpine, Dwarf Screwpine, Pygmy Screwpine, 禾叶露兜树, 矮露兜树 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Creeper |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Dwarf |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m to 0.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | North and East Madagascar |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Monsoon Forest, Riverine) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous monocot shrub, one of the dwarfest member of Pandanus genus, growing up to only 0.6m height when planted in ground. Low clumping form, aboveground stem not obvious, sending out basal runners that root upon ground contact. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves linear, striped with green centre and bright yellow edges, spirally arranged in ranks of 3s around hidden stem. Leaf margins and keels armed with numerous hooked flexible spines. |
| Flowers | Cream-coloured, produced in inconspicuous clusters on short peduncle (inflorescence stalk). Plant is diocecious, with male and female flowers found on separate plants (note: photos here show male flowers). Blooming seldom observed under local conditions. |
| Habitat | Endemic to Madagascar, found in freshwater wetlands, rock faces and near forested sites. |
| Cultivation | Hardy species, somewhat drought-tolerant when established, though preferring regular watering. Propagate by division and rhizome cuttings. Beware of scratchy foliar spines, and use thick gloves when working with plant. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Pandanus' is Latinized form of Malayan name. Species epithet 'pygmaeus' means 'pygmy', a reference to the plant's dwarf form. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Flowerbed / Border, Coastal, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Leaf |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Drought Tolerant |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Storage Organ, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Modification | Spine (axillary) |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|
| Flowering Period | Rarely |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1007 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2301 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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