This small tree has an upright habit with stilted roots growing from the base of the greyish trunk and spreading thick branches forming an open crown. It has blue-green leathery lanced-shaped leaves and the male and female flowers appear in summer.

Hardiness zones 11 to 12

Pandanus tectorius is naturally found from Queensland to New South Wales in Australia growing along the coast. It prefers a moderately fertile well drained sandy to clay loam with reliable moisture in an open sunny position and is drought and salt spray tolerant but frost tender.

The Screw Pine is grown for its spreading habit and its attractive foliage. It is very suited to tropical coastal plantings and is used in parks and gardens as a specimen. It may also be grown in a container when young and used as an indoor or glasshouse specimen in cooler climates. It establishes from division in 3 to 5 years and care should be taken as it has invasive roots. ID 999

Pandanus(păn-DAN-us) tectorius (tek-TOR-ee-us)

Pandanaceae (PAN-dan-AY-see-ee)