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Glossary

Screw Pine, Pandanus utilius

Go to - Landscape Trees
Landscape Shrubs

Family - Pandanaceae

The Screw pine is a monocot more closely related to the Palms than true trees. Reaching heights of 25-30 feet this "tree" can have an equal or greater spread.

With prop roots reminiscent of Red mangrove trees, the Screw pine produces stout branches with leaves arranged in spirals at the branch ends. Leaves are strap-like, up to 3' long with small spines along the edges.

The Screw pine is a tropical tree in appearance as well as by nature & females plants produce a large round or cylindrical fruit, eight inches or more in diameter hanging by a stout stem.

Culture - Small plants will take some shade, fruiting requires full sun. Not too picky about soil but it should be well drained. Screw pine requires a median amount of moisture until established.

Screw pine grows in USDA zones 10-11, is drought tolerant and resistant to salt air back from the dune and is commonly used as a specimen plant or grown in a container.

There are several varieties of Screw pine available including one with variegated leaves.

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