This "tree" is found around swampy coastal areas. The leaves are in tight spirals, and their silhouettes are evocative of exotic coastal locations in the Pacific and elsewhere. "Screw Pine" is not a good name, as it is in no way related to Pine trees, but is a flowering plant of the large group called monocotyledons, which also contains palms, grasses and bananas.

The leaves are edged by vicious spikes which can tear the flesh of unwary hikers. In many tropical countries the spiked edges are removed and the leaves dried to sew or plait into mats.

Here are some from the Tung O area of South Lamma:

<img src="http://www.compunicate.com/Lamma/27/Pandanus1-bb.jpg" border=1>
<img src="http://www.compunicate.com/Lamma/27/Pandanus2-bb.jpg" border=1>
<img src="http://www.compunicate.com/Lamma/27/Pandanus3-bb.jpg" border=1>
<img src="http://www.compunicate.com/Lamma/27/Pandanus-fruit-bb.jpg" border=1>

The fruit eventually turns an orange colour, as you can see from the pictures on these pages, making it look at first glance almost like a pineapple.

http://www.wetlandtour.net/enhtml/album2.asp?id=38
http://www.wetlandtour.net/enhtml/features2.asp?id=93

Wow, these fruits look amazing! Never seen any of those yet!
As big as a pineapple? Edible?
Looks like one of several possible icons for the Lamma portal...

Zep, I think you've almost got enough great photos now to do an entire photo gallery of Lamma flora & fauna! What do you think?

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They're quite decorative, I've seen them particularly in coastal areas. But when you get ambushed by their sharp spikes you lose your appreciation quickly. I always thought they were related to the pineapple, but apparently not, though they are edible, and not native, must have been cultivated here in the recent past.

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cabana/4705/angio/pandanus.html">According to this page</a>: Pandanus tectorius is one of the most useful trees in Micronesia. The leaves, which are the most useful part of the plant, are woven or plaited into mats, thatch, sails, baskets, hats, local fans, marmars, anticrafts, and many other items. Tip of prop roots are eaten and are often used as native medicine in Pohnpei and maybe in other Micronesian islands as well. The fruit is a major source of food in Micronesia especially on the atolls. They can be eaten raw or cooked. Either way, it is very healthy. Besides serving as a food, its fibres help clean the teeth, acting as a natural dental floss.

I have never heard of Pandanus nuts being eaten in this part of the world - it is quite possible that the plants were just introduced for their appearance, like so many other plants in Hong Kong.

In Papua New Guinea, where I used to live, there are two species of Pandanus which are food sources. There is a very tall one known as karuka in New Guinea pidgin in the Highlands from which smoky flavoured nuts are obtained. The other is a short lowlands variety known as "marita" with a huge red fruit which is mashed up into pulp and cooked. I have some interesting slides of these, but don't know how to post these on the web

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