Pandanus papuanus (PROSEA)
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Introduction |
Pandanus papuanus Solms-Laubach
- Family: Pandanaceae
Vernacular names
- Indonesia: im, mandim bepos (southern Halmahera), tobaluko (northern Halmahera).
Distribution
The entire northern coast of New Guinea and the nearby island groups. Cultivated in Halmahera.
Uses
The strong and very seawater-resistant fibres from the prop roots are used in New Guinea to make fishing lines and nets. The fibre is strong enough to be used for shoelaces. The leaves are not suitable for plaiting, but on Halmahera they are used to make tacked "kakoja" mats. The prop roots are made into torches in New Guinea.
Observations
A dioecious tree with a straight stem 10-15 m tall, branching at about three-quarters of its height and emitting from not far below this point many straight, spiny prop roots. Leaves 2 m × 10-12 cm, margins prickly. Female inflorescence a pedunculate, pendant, solitary, subglobose head, about 45 cm in diameter; drupes 8 cm × 3-4 cm, up to 11-locular, apex truncate to subconcave. P. papuanus grows gregariously and locally forms large groups in permanent moist or swampy locations along the coast and on the shores of rivers and lakes. The coarse, white, shiny and up to 7-8 m long fibres are obtained from prop roots which have not yet become too woody. To obtain the fibre, the roots are cut off near the stem, or, if the roots have become too hard in that place, further away from the stem, and soaked in water. The hard outer layer is removed and the core is divided in strips, from which the fibre is freed by putting them between two bamboo laths which are moved up and down. The fibre is dried in the shade, because full sunlight might adversely affect colour and strength. Prop roots can be removed regularly without damaging the plant. According to B.C. Stone, P. papuanus is classified in subgenus Pandanus sensu B.C. Stone, section Intraobtutus .
Selected sources
71, 138, 176.
Authors
M. Brink, P.C.M. Jansen & C.H. Bosch
