Definition

Noun: * A species of tropical coastal plant: Pandanus tectorius is a specific species of flowering plant in the screw pine family (Pandanaceae). It is a small tree or shrub commonly found on coastlines and islands in the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans. * A source of materials: The plant is known for its long, sword-shaped leaves, which are used for weaving mats, baskets, and thatch, and its large, segmented fruit.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The thatched roof was made from the leaves of the Pandanus tectorius.
  • We saw a grove of Pandanus tectorius growing along the sandy shore.
  • The fibrous fruit of Pandanus tectorius can be eaten in some cultures.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical or ecological contexts: The name is used precisely to distinguish this species from other plants in the genus. It is often mentioned in studies of coastal vegetation, ethnobotany (the study of how people use plants), and island ecology.
  • The research paper focused on the genetic diversity of Pandanus tectorius populations across different atolls.

Variants and Related Words

• Screw pine (n): A common name for plants in the genus, referring to the spiral arrangement of their leaves and the prop roots that look like screws. is one species of screw pine.
• Hala tree (n): A name for used in Hawaiian language and culture.
• Pandanus (n): The genus name, which includes many related species.

Synonyms

• Hala tree (specific to Hawaiian contexts)
• Thatch screwpine (a descriptive common name)
• Veitch's screw pine (an older botanical synonym)

Related Phrases and Terms

• Prop roots: The distinctive aerial roots that grow from the stem and provide support, commonly seen in .
• Phalanges (in botanical context): The individual segments or keys of the large, compound fruit of the .

Noun

1. Polynesian screw pine