Pandanus eydouxia
Pandanus eydouxia is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, endemic to Mauritius.
Description
A tall branching tree that forms a wide, domed canopy. The 20–25 cm wide trunk is grey and cracked, while younger stems bear brown leaf-scars. The stems are lined with many small, sharp knobs.The leaves are long, drooping and glaucous-green to yellow-green with more brownish bases. Leaf margins are lined with tiny, mild, white spines that can age to a yellow or brown. The leaf midrib also has spines, but not near the base.
This species is most easily distinguished by its very large, rounded fruit-head, that is held up erect on a short peduncle that is densely covered in protective bracts. Each fruit-head holds 15-25 drupes, that are flat-topped and covered in stigmas, but otherwise variable in shape.
The half or third of the drupe, that is inside the fruit-head, becomes orange or red when ripe. Each drupe holds a large number of carpels.