Common Name: Padang

General Information

Pandanus odorifer is a much-branched, evergreen shrub or small tree with long, sword-shaped leaves that can be up to 2 metres long[]. It has a stout bole with numerous aerial prop roots[, ].
Padang is a source of food, medicines, essential oil and materials for weaving. It is cultivated in India for its essential oil, which is used to make a popular perfume[]. The plant is also often grown as an ornamental, where it is valued especially for its scented flowers, which are worn as adornments, used in temples and commonly sold in local markets[, ].
Pandanus odorifer is widespread and abundant throughout much its range and is naturalised in parts of Africa. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Sandy coasts, often forming dense, impenetrable thickets in tidal forests[]. Fresh and brackish waters, usually still or slow-flowing, in ponds, lakes and marshes[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants require a minimum temperature that does not fall below about 13 - 16°c[].
Prefers a well-drained soil and a position in full sun or partial shade[].
Plants commence flowering when about 3 - 4 years old[].
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

Leaves - aromatic[]. They are used to give a garlic-like flavour to foods[].

Fruit[]. 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[].

Although no specific records have yet been seen for this species, most members of this genus also have more or less edible seeds and inner leaf bases[].
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 leaf bud is diuretic[]. It is taken internally as a poultice for boils[]. Contradictory - a poultice is external[].

The roots are diuretic, depurative and tonic[]. They are taken internally[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Extensively grown as a hedge plant in the coastal districts of southern India[].
The plant is grown as a soil stabilizer to bind fragile soils[].

Other Uses

An essential oil with a hyacinth-ylang ylang aroma is obtained from the male flower bracts[]. It is used in perfumery and skin preparations[]. It is used as an addition to sandalwood oil (from Santalum spp.)[]. A popular perfume, known as 'kewda attar' is obtained from the flowers[].
Various parts of the plant are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as antioxidants, hair and skin conditioners, and stabilizers[].

The leaves, which are composed of tough longitudinal, white, glossy fibres, are employed for covering huts, making matting, cordage etc[].
The leaf fibres are extracted and used for making cordage and coarse yarn[].
The roots also are fibrous and are used by basket makers for binding. When cut into lengths and beaten out they are very commonly used as brushes for painting and whitewalling[]. It is possible that this root fibre might be found suitable for brush making as a substitute for bristles[].
Both roots and leaves may be used as paper stock[].

The light-brown wood is moderately hard on the outside, but very soft inside[].

Propagation

Seed - best pre-soaked for 24 hours prior to sowing[].
Cuttings of lateral shoots.
Suckers.

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is greater, 5 or 9?