| Pandanus odorifer | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Pandanales |
| Family: | Pandanaceae |
| Genus: | Pandanus |
| Species: | P. odorifer |
| Binomial name | |
| Pandanus odorifer (Forssk.) Kuntze | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Pandanus odorifer is an aromatic monocot species ofplant in the familyPandanaceae, native toPolynesia,Australia, South Asia (Andaman Islands), and thePhilippines, and is also found wild in southernIndia andBurma.[2] It is commonly known asfragrant screw-pine.
In addition to screw-pine, other common English names for the tree includekewda,fragrant screwpine,umbrella tree andscrew tree.[3]
In India, the tree goes by a variety of names, many deriving from the Sanskritkētakī.[3]inKannada called ‘’ ಕೇದಿಗೆ’’[3] inMalayalam calledpookkaitha and its flower known asthaazhampoo, InTamil, it is calledkaithai (கைதை) andtāḻai (தாழை) and both are mentioned inSangam literature. It is calledmogali (మొగలి) inTelugu. In Arabic-speaking countries, the tree is referred to asal-kādī (Arabic:الكادي).[4] In Japan, the tree is calledadan (アダン [阿檀]) and grows onOkinawa Islands, as well as theTokara Islands,Amami Ōshima andKikaijima.
P. odorifer grows widely at theSt. Martin's Island ofBangladesh, although many have been destroyed by mass tourism initiatives.
It is a small branched, palm-likedioecious tree with a flexuous trunk supported bybrace roots. The tree can grow to a height of 4 meters. Leaves grow in clusters at the branch tips, with rosettes of sword-shaped, stiff (leather-like) and spiny bluish-green, fragrant leaves. Leaves are glaucous, 40–70 cm. long. In summer, the tree bears very fragrant flowers, used as perfume. Interestingly, Pandanus lacks a commoncallose wall aroundmicrospore tetrads duringpollen development.[5] InYemen, they are predominantly found alongside flowing streams in the western escarpment foothills; Most common in high rainfall areas.[6] The fragrant male flowers are wrapped in leaves and sold on roadsides and in markets. Only male plants seem to occur in Yemen.[4] Some suggest that it was introduced into Yemen from India where its flowers are used chiefly to make perfume.
The tree is propagated vegetatively, by the offshoots of young plants that grow around the base of the trunk, but may also be increased by seed. If by the former method, the offshoots should be cut off and set in sand, at a temperature of 65° to 70°F. The cuttings root slowly, and the plants for a time grow very slowly. The general treatment required for culturing the screw-pine is similar to that of palms. Trees require an abundance of water in summer.[7]
According toIbn al-'Awwam's 12th-century treatise on agriculture, thekadi is cultivated in a manner similar to that of the Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum).[8]
An aromatic oil calledkewra and a fragrant distillate calledkeorra-ka-arak are extracted from the male flowers.[9] They are almost exclusively used in the form of a watery distillate called kewra water. Its flowers have a sweet, perfumed odor that has a pleasant quality similar to rose flowers, althoughkewra is considered more fruity. The watered-down distillate is quite diluted; it can be used by the tablespoon.
The ketaki tree's flower is never used as an offering to the godShiva. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva cursed the flower that it will never be used to worship him for helping Brahma lie against him, and then to Brahma that he will not be worshipped by people.
OnIshigaki Island, south-west of Okinawa, it is customary to use parts of the plant duringBon festivities as an offering. The soft shoots can also be eaten, although the taste is very astringent and the shoots are considered inedible withoutblanching them first. When they are properly treated however, the taste is similar to that of bamboo shoots.
Despite the pineapple-like appearance of the fruit and its sweet aroma, it is very fibrous and while being non-toxic, is generally not considered for consumption.
Media related toPandanus odorifer at Wikimedia Commons