Pandanus whitmeeanus

Pandanus whitmeeanus, commonly known as the Samoan pandanus, is a species of Pandanus believed to be native to Vanuatu. It has been introduced to Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, and the Hoorn Islands by Austronesian voyagers. It is also known in Samoan and Tongan as ‘ara ‘āmoa or paogo.

Taxonomy

Pandanus whitmeeanus was first described in 1905 by the Italian botanist Ugolino Martelli. It is the type species of the section Coronata and is unique among all other Pandanus species in that has centripetally arranged stigmata.

Description

The tree grows to around tall and in width. The leaves are around long. The fruits are nearly round in shape and are around in size.

Uses

The leaves are woven into mats, baskets, and other handicrafts. The fruits are edible.