Common Name:

General Information

Pandanus candelabrum is a spiny, evergreen shrub or tree growing up to 9 metres tall with conspicuous stilt roots and a thorny bole that can be up to 25cm in diameter[].
The leaves are commonly gathered from the wild and used to make baskets, mats etc. The plant is possibly also used as a local source of food. It is sometimes cultivated locally in damp places near village if it does not growl wild in the area[].
Pandanus candelabrum is widespread in West and coastal Central Africa. There are threats to its habitat, but for the
medium future the number of sites/locations where it is found do not justify a threatened status. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Senegal to Gabon.

Habitat

Gallery forests, usually along the sides of rivers and sometimes growing in the water. The trees can form almost impenetrable thickets at the edge of the more sluggishly flowing rivers which often impede navigation and have to be cut away[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	7.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally grow well in most moist, well-dained soils and a sunny position[]
Branches do not have dormant buds and so will not resprout if cut back into the old wood[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruits and seed are required.

Edible Uses

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

None known

Other Uses

The leaves are made into mats[]. Mats, baskets and sacks are produced from the one metre long leaves[]. When dried, the leaves are used for making mats for wrapping goods as well as for sleeping-mats. In the Benin and Jekri country, thin receptacles around 60cm long are made which are used for holding salt, which is sold in these bags in the market. The bag keeps the salt dry[].
The leaves are used for thatching[].
A fibre is obtained from the brace roots[].
The fibre (the report does not specify which part of the plant the fibre comes from) is very tough, apparently very durable, and of moderate length, averaging around 90cm[].

The stem is very porous when dry, and cannot be said to yield timber, although the cork-like material might serve for a
light substitute for it[].

Propagation

Seed - best pre-soaked for 24 hours prior to sowing[].

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