Pandanus pyramidalis

Pandanus pyramidalis is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae,[2] endemic to Mauritius.

Pandanus pyramidalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Pandanales
Family: Pandanaceae
Genus: Pandanus
Species:
P. pyramidalis
Binomial name
Pandanus pyramidalis
Synonyms[2]

Pandanus striatus Carmich. ex Balf.f.

Description

A tall species, reaching up to 15 meters in height. Its horizontal branches end in rosettes of tapering leaves.

This species can be distinguished by the white or brown spines on its leaves, and by its fruit-heads which hang on strongly recurved stalks. Each fruit-head has 100-150 5.6 cm drupes, which each protrude in a glossy green "pyramid". However, the exposed tip of each drupe is flattened (the areole) and - unlike Pandanus heterocarpus - without any corky margins. The basal joined portions of the drupes become light yellow when the fruit is ripe.[4]

Habitat

It is endemic to Mauritius. Its natural habitat is river banks in the central highlands. It is threatened by habitat loss. The last known wild specimen was destroyed in 1996 and it is possibly extinct.

References
  1. Florens, D. (TPTNC) (2000). "Pandanus pyramidalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2000: e.T35019A9903844. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2000.RLTS.T35019A9903844.en. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  2. "Pandanus pyramidalis Balf.f." Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  3. "Pandanus pyramidalis Balf.f." World Flora Online. The World Flora Online Consortium. n.d. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  4. Vaughan, R.E. and Wiehe, P.O. 1953. The genus Pandanus in the Mascarene Islands. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 55:1-32.


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