Meridian Vol. 4 (2), 106-111, 2015. ISSN 2278-750x CONSERVATION OF SCREW PINE “PANDANUS” IN KERALA, NEED FOR REESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY – RESOURCE LINK Amitha BachanK. H. 1 & K.M. M. Nasser 2 Pandanus “Screw pine” is one of the Important andanus “Screw pine” is a handsome tree, “Keystone Plant”, next to bamboos & reeds, characterized by its green foliage with extensively used by the Coastal and Island Pdichotomous like branching and pine like people for their minor economic needs. The spreading, linear, long leaves. It is seen all over the Pandnaus groves are regarded as one of the tropics. One of the Important “Keystone Plant”,next important “Vegetation” of the coasts and to bamboos & reeds, extensively used by the Coastal and Island people for their minor economic needs. islands especially associated with human ThePandnaus groves are regarded as one of the settlements. A study conducted among the important “Vegetation” of the coasts and islands 400 people in 100 households of Mathilakam especially associated with human settlements. and Kaipamangalam panchayaths of Thrissur The family Pandanaceae are represented by 3 district of central Kerala during 2012 revealed genera, vis.,Pandanus Park. (600-700 species), that about the 52% individuals take part in the FreycenitiaGaudich. (c. 200 species) and Sararanga process of Pandanus mat weaving one decade Hemsley (2 species); among them one genus ago and was reduced to 18% today. Reduction Pandanus Park. occur in the Indian subcontinent. The genusFreycinetia Gaudich. is present in in the demand of Pandanus mats and crafts Andaman-Nicobar Islands and Srilanka. The genus due to its substitute with plastic products, Pandanus Park. occupies largest ranges, destruction water bodies, depletion of Paleotropical from W. Africa to Australia, Polynesia, Pandanus groves and diversity and depletion New Zealand to Ryukyn island and Japan (Southern of the community – screwpine resource link tip). (Stone, 1981). are the major reasons. Pandanaceae with its highly reduced floral structure and dioecious nature is regarded as one of the difficult family among monocotyledons. Very Keywords: Pandanus, Screwpine, Cottage industry, similarity in the vegetative structure of both sexes Coastal Kerala. and between different species and the similarity in the staminate inflorescence make it a taxonomically difficult group. Pandanaceae is a clearly defined family whose relationship are not very clear, probably fairly ancient. Perhaps related nearly to palms, but not very close toTypha , perhaps related to Agavaceae. The genera are very distinct. Pandanus Park. occupies the largest range; Paleotropical from West Africa throughout Indo- Malaysia to S. China, Malaysia tropical Australia and tropical Pacific Islands.Freycinetia Gaudich. is enclosed within this area, except for the extension 12 to New Zealand.Sararanga Hemsley is limited to Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Research & PG Department Philippines, New Guinea, Manus and Solomon of Botany, MES Asmabi College, Kodungallur,Kerala, India. Islands. Paper submitted November 2014. Revised and Accepted May 2015. 106 Meridian Vol. 4 (2), 106-111, 2015. ISSN 2278-750x The members of the genus Pandanus Park. were collections of all the following species from the poorly collected by routine collectors, since the Kerala region. specimen being bulky, and most of them with large Pandanus odoratissimus L.f. thorny foliage. Pandanus kaida Kurz., Uncertainty about the fundamental floral Pandanus furcatus Roxb structure in the Pandanus Park. has existed for a Pandanus thwaitesii Mart., long time. Reasons for these were the highly Pandanus canaranus Warb. reduced state of their flowers, their occurrence of Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb., condensed inflorescences, coupled with inadequate Pandanus tectorius Parkinson ex Z. materials representing early stage of development var.tectorius and the sparse representation of the staminate var.laevis inflorescens in herbaria (Stone, 1990). Prior var.Sanderi interpretations of Pandanus Park. floral structure have been three basic notions. First hypothesis Uses & Socio Economic Significance assume that Pandanus Park. are monocotyledonous Pandanus has great significance as they provide angiosperms, and their ancestry is ultimately same economic and livelihood support for local as that of angiosperm as a whole this regards their community. Its fine natural fiber, one of the best of flower their flower as unisexual through abortive or its kind in the world, has been in use for centuries for lacking perianth. The second hypothesis is that floral making bedmats. Screwpine mat weaving is an organization evolved during early history of ancient craft and cottage industry. angiospermae and primitive one. The third view Pandanus odoratissimus and regards the floral structure is to be demonstrated Pandanus kaida are socio economically very with new evidence (Stone, 1968). Later the floral important. The leaves, which are the most useful structure as ascertained from the SEM studies of part of the plant, and has been used for centuries for earliest primordial stages is consistent with the making mat and umbrella, and their fibres for normal type in Monocotyledonae, and need not to cordage and fishing lines. The roots are used in be interpreted as a proto-flower or pseudo-flower basket and brush making. An aromatic medicinal oil (Stone, 1990). is distilled from the spathes of Pandanus odoratissimus. The floral leaves are eaten (Gamble Pandanus in Kerala 1935).Pandanus odoratissimus is one of the most In Kerala the Pandani were usually seen along useful trees in Micronesia. The leaves, which are the the coastal sandy beaches and 'Riparian' & Wetland most useful part of the plant are woven or plaited habitats from higher altitudes to sea level, also into mats, thatch, baskets, local fans, handicrafts among mangroves. Some species are component of and many other items. Tip of prop roots are eaten tropical rainforests, especially of the lowland and often used as native medicine in Pohnpei and rainforests. Others are Cultivated as hedges, and may be other Micronesian islands as well. The fruit is some as ornamental. The most common species in a major source of food in Micronesia, especially on South India isPandanus odoratissimus and is known the atolls. They can be eaten raw or cooked, either in Malayalam as“Kaitha” (Kaida Rheede) and in way, it is very healthy. Besides serving as a food, its Tamilas “Kaida”. fibers helps clean the teeth, and acts as a natural Hooker (1894) reported two species to have dental floss (Stone 1960-81). there distribution in the Kerala region and also Pandanus amaryllifolius is only Gamble (1935) added two more species. However scented species of Pandanus which is very popular the common species of Pandanus seen through out as flavouring material to Asians used in many food the coasts of Kerala is Pandanus odoratissimus L.f. preparations particularly in cooking rice desserts A recent survey conducted throughout south and drinks. Leaves are used in different culinary India by us (Bachan & Pradeep, 2003-06) has got preparations. Juice extracts from fresh leaves are 107 Meridian Vol. 4 (2), 106-111, 2015. ISSN 2278-750x well-loved flavoring by Asians used in preparing etc. cakes, desserts and sweetened flavor meats. It is Fibers from stilt roots used. used as substitute to vanilla and gives the natural P. amaryllifolius Roxb. is used as spice, flavor green food colouring as well. Boiled water with fresh obtained from leaves called 'ramphe'. leaves serve as a good drinking refresher. Fruits of Some species are ornamentals (vars. of P. pandani are eaten raw or cooked. Its fiber can serves tectorious ) a natural dental floss. It can be also used for Some as living hedges, lining the water bodies medicinal purposes. Is has cooling effect as excellent and paddy fields and railway embankments in lower for the treatment of internal inflammations, fever, elevations. (Pandanus canaranus Warb. & sour throat, urinary infections, colds, coughs, Pandanus kaida Kurz.) measles, bleeding gums, and skin diseases. It helps The plants are used for, fencing, as hedges, to maintain heart and liver in good condition. It is lining water bodies etc. also an ornamental plant. The nutty, intensive taste of Likely to support aquatic diversity. Pandanus reminds to the best aromatic rice cultivars fruits were eaten in some parts of the world. (for example, Thai Jasmine rice known as khao hom In some, floral bracts were used as hair mali) in South East Asia. Lesser rice varieties are decorative by woman folk especially in south India. often cooked with Pandanus leaves to stimulate the Perfued oils –'Koera' Kewda –perfume, extracted flavour of the expensive types. from male flowers of Pandanus odoratissimus. In Thai Cuisine, Pandanus leaves are In Orissa 30 million inflorescence used occasionally used as very fragrant wrappers. annually to flavor food, tobacco, soap, hair oil etc. Pandanus chicken, gai ob bai toey, is a classical Coir industry is one of the important cottage recipe and as eternal favorites in restaurants. industry of the coastal people of Kerala in an All over South East Asia, Pandanus organized sector. Mat weaving with Pandanus leaves find their most important culinary leaves comes second to the coir sector as a cottage application in desserts; In Thailand iced drinks from industry. About 90% of the ordinary people, of the young with Pandanus flavour are popular, and in coasts use or used to make mats with leaves of Indonesia, Pandan leaves are made in to ice cream Pandanus. Being an unorganized sector Women's like concoctions. Furthermore, Pandan leaves are more engaged in this job. The screwpines were appear more frequently in sweet puddings or planted along the margins of ponds, stream and custard based on sticky (glutinous) rice. river banks or as fences in almost all coastal districts The male flowers of pandanus is most of Kerala. It has been a a traditional method to have valuable for its fragrance and is used as hair Pandanus planted along the sides of the water decorative. Also used for the preparation of “Kewda bodies as well as hedge plant and it is very common Attar”(perfume) and “Kewda water”.