Bushy pandanus in Hawaii

[CLINODAVE]

Saw this bushy pandanus in Hilo today.  Although the immature fruits are green per the picture, ripe fruits are bright red and the size of a pine cone.  The individual wedges remind me of candy corn.  Google search suggests this is P. polycephalus.  I have seen this plant at Hoomaluhia Botanic Garden in Oahu and it is so labelled.  It is old and is about 8 feet tall and wide.  There is another pandanus described in various literature as P. pygmaeus which may look similar.  Anyone have any thoughts on whether P. polycephalus is correct?

[Tropicgardener]

Pandanus are one of those confusing Genus where a lot more work needs to be undertaken to sort them out. I have probably around 30 species of Pandanus growing, some of which don't have any known species name. I can't really help you with the above species as I don't know it but Pandanus pygmaeus is a very small prickly groundcover species that is normally only to around 2ft high at the most. It is also variegated green/yellow....... Used a bit here in tropical parts of Queensland.

[Eric in Orlando]

I am not familiar with Pandanus polycephalus but it appears it could be that species. It is definitely not P. pygmaeus.

I found this for P. polycephalus;

 

http://www.botanicgardens.ie/herb/research/pandanus2.htm

[CLINODAVE]

Thanks for the replies. folks.  I agree this probably isn't P. pygmaeus.  The plant in my photos was over 2 m in height.  Thanks for the link, Eric.  Makes me want to do some more research.

[CLINODAVE]

BTW, fascinating that I can do research on Pandanus thanks to a link from Eric to a research facility in Dublin.  Small world.

 

[Eric in Orlando]

And the fact the info on a more rare, obscure pandan from New Guinea is coming from Ireland!

 

 

 

[Donald Sanders]

  On 12/15/2016 at 3:21 AM, Tropicgardener said:

Pandanus are one of those confusing Genus where a lot more work needs to be undertaken to sort them out. I have probably around 30 species of Pandanus growing, some of which don't have any known species name. I can't really help you with the above species as I don't know it but Pandanus pygmaeus is a very small prickly groundcover species that is normally only to around 2ft high at the most. It is also variegated green/yellow....... Used a bit here in tropical parts of Queensland.

Expand  

Next to palms, my favorite is Pandanus.   We have many areas on this island where natural populations of this Hawaiian native flourish.   Huge stands can be seen in the Puna district as well as scattered individuals in the forest and in groves of coconut palms on our islands east coast.    In my experience I have met very few growers that collect, grow and research this wonderful family of tropical trees.    Before I moved to the Big Island, when I lived in S. Cal, I successfully grew the native Hawaiian Pandanus outside, in very protected locations.   I've lived on the Big Island for 27 years.

I only have 9 species, most notable is a Pandanus Monotheca,  an online purchase that was a small sprouted seed, almost dried out and it took a month to get to Hawaii.    I was almost sure it was dead.   It was not!   Now 5 years later, it is at least 60', huge, almost as big as a coconut tree, with a dark purple, almost black color where the leaves wrap around the trunk.    I will try to post a pic sometime.    There are very few of these in Hawaii and the one in my garden is the object of much admiration.   Perhaps my favorite.

You are so fortunate to have 30 species of Pandanus.   Dr. John Dransfield has often said to me that there are countless varieties in the wild that deserve the attention a magnificent family like Pandanus deserve.

My question:   Do you have any sources to acquire fertile seeds of Pandanus.    I have since attempted to purchase more seeds from reputable sellers on the internet.   If you can believe there is some one selling the Australian Pandanus Spirilus(sp) from Romania!    I bought 2 seeds for $15 plus shipping.   I babied them for a year, no luck.   I purchased another Pandanus from Guam, again the seeds did not germinate.

I was hoping you might have a source, or perhaps you may have some sprouted seeds you might sell or trade with me.

Thank you for your post on this neglected, but beautiful family.   Any in formation about cultivating, collecting and admiring Pandanus, I truly appreciate.

Thank you,    Mahalo..................Don Sanders

[Tropicgardener]

  On 12/16/2016 at 10:35 PM, Donald Sanders said:

Next to palms, my favorite is Pandanus.   We have many areas on this island where natural populations of this Hawaiian native flourish.   Huge stands can be seen in the Puna district as well as scattered individuals in the forest and in groves of coconut palms on our islands east coast.    In my experience I have met very few growers that collect, grow and research this wonderful family of tropical trees.    Before I moved to the Big Island, when I lived in S. Cal, I successfully grew the native Hawaiian Pandanus outside, in very protected locations.   I've lived on the Big Island for 27 years.

I only have 9 species, most notable is a Pandanus Monotheca,  an online purchase that was a small sprouted seed, almost dried out and it took a month to get to Hawaii.    I was almost sure it was dead.   It was not!   Now 5 years later, it is at least 60', huge, almost as big as a coconut tree, with a dark purple, almost black color where the leaves wrap around the trunk.    I will try to post a pic sometime.    There are very few of these in Hawaii and the one in my garden is the object of much admiration.   Perhaps my favorite.

You are so fortunate to have 30 species of Pandanus.   Dr. John Dransfield has often said to me that there are countless varieties in the wild that deserve the attention a magnificent family like Pandanus deserve.

My question:   Do you have any sources to acquire fertile seeds of Pandanus.    I have since attempted to purchase more seeds from reputable sellers on the internet.   If you can believe there is some one selling the Australian Pandanus Spirilus(sp) from Romania!    I bought 2 seeds for $15 plus shipping.   I babied them for a year, no luck.   I purchased another Pandanus from Guam, again the seeds did not germinate.

I was hoping you might have a source, or perhaps you may have some sprouted seeds you might sell or trade with me.

Thank you for your post on this neglected, but beautiful family.   Any in formation about cultivating, collecting and admiring Pandanus, I truly appreciate.

Thank you,    Mahalo..................Don Sanders

Expand  

I don't currently have Pandanus spiralis but I can obtain (in season) seeds from Pandanus cookii which is our local swamp Pandanus that occurs here in North Queensland........ I am currently germinating seeds from some other North Queensland species......... Are you able to bring in young plants? as in the future I might have some available.

[tropicbreeze]

I have tonnes of Pandanus spiralis on my place (natural growth). Although (there's always a "but"), P. darwinensis was split out from P. spiralis not long back and I haven't been able to find out what the difference is (and therefore whether mine are spiralis or darwinensis). But then someone might end up putting darwinensis back into spiralis soon and I won't have to worry any more.

[Donald Sanders]

  On 12/17/2016 at 2:41 AM, Tropicgardener said:

I don't currently have Pandanus spiralis but I can obtain (in season) seeds from Pandanus cookii which is our local swamp Pandanus that occurs here in North Queensland........ I am currently germinating seeds from some other North Queensland species......... Are you able to bring in young plants? as in the future I might have some available.

Expand  

Thank you for your input.    I'm not sure of the law, but I am only looking for get 2 or 3 seeds, hopefully with a green nub indicating germination.    I have had not problems with seeds like this from Rumania, Guam, Holland, Germany, Thailand and the mainland US.    I think if they are clean and fit in an envelope there is not problem.  Do you have any of the native Hawaiian pandanus?    I can send it you like.    Thank you,   Mahalo,   Don

[JasonD]

I'm always curious about the viability of Pandanus forsteri in California and the prospect of other species from higher altitudes.

[BS Man about Palms]

I have one found via Noong Nooch seed on the ground.. supposed to be unnamed from Vietnam.Have kept it as a house plant in my bathroom for years. Basically 5 years later It's finally about 18" tall and doubled in size in the last year..

[Kevin S]

 I picked one up in 2015 from the farmers market.  I hope it still doing OK.

[Kevin S]

 I think this is a vera gated one I have.