| Pandanus fascicularis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Pandanales |
| Family: | Pandanaceae |
| Genus: | Pandanus |
| Species: | P. fascicularis |
| Binomial name | |
| Pandanus fascicularis Lam. |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Pandanus odoratissimus, L. (nom. illeg.) |
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Screw Pine (Pandanus fascicularis) is a species of Pandanus native to southern Asia, from southern India east to Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands south of Japan, and south to Indonesia.
Contents |
It is a shrub with fragrant flowers. They are used to extract perfume, aromatic oil (kevda oil) and fragrant distillations (otto) called "keorra-ka-arak". These are stimulant and antispasmodic and are used against headache and rheumatism. The flowers are also used to flavour food; kevda essence[1] is used in numerous Indian sweets like rasgulla, petha (candied gourd or winter squash), rasmalai and burfi, especially in Rajasthan. The flower, however, is reputed to attract snakes.[2]
The flower is an important flower in ancient Indian tradition. It is mentioned in Brahma's story as a cursed flower.
One of the sayings of Chanakya stresses its pleasant smell: O ketki flower! Serpents live in your midst, you bear no edible fruits, your leaves are covered with thorns, you are crooked in growth, you thrive in mud, and you are not easily accessible. Still for your exceptional fragrance you are as dear as kinsmen to others. Hence, a single excellence overcomes a multitude of blemishes.[3]
Common names include: