Pandanus christmatensis

Pandanus christmatensis is a dioecious tropical plant in the screwpine genus. It is endemic to Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the north-eastern Indian Ocean. The specific epithet, "christmatensis", comes from its native locality.[2]

Pandanus christmatensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Pandanales
Family: Pandanaceae
Genus: Pandanus
Species:
P. christmatensis
Binomial name
Pandanus christmatensis
Synonyms
  • Pandanus nativitatis Ridl.

Description

Pandanus christmatensis is a small tree or shrub, with prop roots, that grows to 10 m in height. Its leaves are 1–2 m long and 50–80 mm wide, dark green and with marginal prickles. The inflorescence has white bracts. The fruit is orange when ripe.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The plant forms dense, tangled thickets on the shore terraces of the island, often next to the sea, on exposed limestone cliffs with little soil. It also occurs inland beneath the rainforest canopy, particularly on limestone scree.[2]

Taxonomy

The plant is closely related to Pandanus tectorius, which is widely distributed through the region, and is very similar to Pandanus platycarpus from Zanzibar.[2]

References

Notes
  1. Martelli (1905).
  2. Flora of Australia Online.

Sources
  • Martelli, U. (1905). Webbia. 1: 362. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  • "Pandanus christmatensis Martelli". Flora of Australia Online. Australian Biological Resources Study. 1993. Retrieved 2010-11-23.


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