Thatch Screwpine (Pandanus tectorius)

• A species of Pandanus (screwpine) that is native to Malesia, Papuasia, eartern Australia and the Pacific Islands
• It grows in the coastal lowlands typically near the edge of the ocean
• Common names in English include thatch screwpine, Tahitian screwpine, hala tree (pū hala in Hawaiian) and pandanus
• It is supported by aerial roots (prop roots) that firmly anchor the tree to the ground. Roots sometimes grow along the branch, and they grow at wide angles in proportion to the trunk
• The fruit is edible and sometimes known as hala fruit. Although not closely related, the fruit resembles a pineapple. The fruit is made up of 38–200 wedge-like phalanges, often referred to as keys or carpels,, which have an outer fibrous husk. The color of the fruit can be yellow, orange, or red with a green top. The phalanges are buoyant, and the seeds within them can remain viable for many months while being transported by ocean currents
• They are extremely useful and important plants for Aboriginal people, a 'one stop shop' with different parts being used for craft objects like the Pandanus Didgeridoo, food and medicine. Many animals also use them as a home
• Aboriginal people carried slow smouldering Pandanus branches to transfer fire from camp to camp when they travelled
• The core of the pandanus trunk has been used to treat stomach pain, diarrhoea, wounds, toothache and mouth sores
• The tree's large clusters of woody nuts contain seeds that can be eaten raw or roasted. The leaf fibres are woven into baskets, bags and mats, as well as headbands that are used to treat headaches