Common Name: Fragrant Pandan

General Information

Pandanus amaryllifolius is an evergreen tree with fragrantly-scented leaves. It has two distinct growth forms:-
A small growth form that grows from sucker shoots with slender stems 1 - 1.6 metres tall and 2 - 5 cm in diameter[]. Flowers and fruits are unknown[].
A large growth form that eventually produces an erect stem, 2 - 4.5 metres tall and 15 cm in diameter[]. The female inflorescence is unknown, but on exceedingly rare occasions it produces a male inflorescence[].
The leaves are widely used as a flavouring throughout southeast Asia, where they are commonly available in local markets[]. The plant is cultivated for its leaves in gardens in West Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, New Guinea, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, recently also in Hawaii[]. It is also grown as an ornamental plant[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Cultivated in the Tropics, its original range is uncertain but is probably Indonesia.

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild location.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	3.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid lowland tropics. Apart from the continuous harvesting of fragrant pandan, there are some indications that ever-wet climatic conditions are less favourable for the development of the large growth form, and thus assist in the perpetuation of the small growth form[].
Succeeds in full sun or light shade in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil[]. Fragrant pandan tolerates shade very well[].
The small growth form of fragrant pandan is perpetuated by continued harvesting of the leaves[]. When abandoned or allowed to develop without hindrance, it grows very slowly but eventually will enter into the 'large' growth phase and develop a stout trunk[].
The odour of the leaves remains the same in both growth forms[].
Harvesting of fragrant pandan may start about 6 months after planting and may continue for several years[]. Individual leaves are cut, leaving the top with 3 - 4 leaves intact[].
Branches do not have dormant buds and so will not resprout if cut back into the old wood[].
A one-ha plot in the Philippines, with fragrant pandan under pepper and some fruit trees, was harvested twice a week, yielding 60 kg of fresh leaves per harvest, or 6 t/ha per year[].
A dioecious species, but only the male form is known so seeds cannot be produced[].

Edible Uses

The fragrant young leaves are cooked and eaten[]. They are also often used, both fresh or dried, to flavour rice, cassava etc, especially in sweet dishes[, ]. The aromatic leaves give a garlic-like flavour to food[]. Delicious, they add a distinctive musky odour and a natural green colour[, ]. The leaves are also used to wrap other foods, such as rice dumplings[].

Although no specific records have yet been seen for this species, most members of this genus have more or less edible fruits, seeds and inner leaf bases[].
The cylindrical fruit is a syncarp made up of a number of individual drupes[]. Individual drupes are hard, woody wedges - each containing a few, slender seeds[]. Each wedge has a fleshy base imbued with a sweet-smelling, orange pulp that in many species has a delicious flavour[]. This pulp needs to be cooked in order to destroy a deleterious substance[].
The seed often has a delicious nutty flavour when eaten raw or cooked, though it is fiddly to extract[]. Seeds contain 44 - 50% fat and 20 - 34% protein[].
Inner base of young leaves - raw[].

Medicinal

The leaves are diuretic and cardiotonic[]. An infusion is used as a sedative against restlessness and is also a traditional treatment for diabetes[].
Externally, the leaves are used in the treatment of skin diseases; as a relaxing soak to counter restlessness[, ]. They are soaked in coconut oil, the oil is then employed as an embrocation for rheumatic troubles[].

Three piperidine alkaloids have been isolated and identified from the leaves of fragrant pandan. The application of the leaves as an antidiabetic drug seems linked to 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, which has been isolated from Pandanus amaryllifolius roots[]. It shows hypoglycaemic effects and increases serum insulin levels and liver glycogen content[].

Other Uses

The aromatic leaves are used for perfume[].
Freshly chopped leaves are mixed with the petals of various flowers to make potpourris[].
It has been speculated that the scent in fragrant pandan leaves is not an essential oil, but a volatile product of oxidative degradation of a yellow carotenoid pigment[]. The leaves do, however, yield a very small amount of essential oil[].

The leaves can be woven into small baskets[]. They are used to make containers for desserts[]. The leaves are used to make mats for sleeping on[].

An extract of the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a deodorant and masking agent[].

The essential oil has insect-repellent activity, for instance against the ordinary cockroach, Periplaneta americana[]. The powdered leaves may be used as a repellent against Callosobruchus chinensis infestation of mung-bean seeds[]..

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours[]. Seed is not available for this plant because only male forms are known[].
Suckers during the growing season. Suckers removed from the leaf axils can be planted straight away or rooted first in a sandy medium[].
Cuttings of lateral shoots. Stem cuttings should be inserted obliquely in the planting medium[].

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