Pandanus sechellarum

Pandanus sechellarum ("Vakwa maron", also spelled "Vacoa marron") is a species of plant in the Pandan, or Screwpine Family (Pandanaceae). It is one of five species of Pandanus that are endemic to Seychelles.

Pandanus sechellarum
Pandanus sechellarum growing in the Seychelles Botanical Gardens
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Pandanales
Family:	Pandanaceae
Genus:	Pandanus
Species:	P. sechellarum
Binomial name
Pandanus sechellarum Balf.f.

Description

The prominent stilt-roots of Pandanus sechellarum

This large species (up to 15 meters in height) has extremely large and prominent stilt-roots, that grow individually and far apart, from high up on the trunk. They can be up to thirty-three feet (ten meters) in length,^[2] and sometimes "over twelve meters" (over 39 feet).^[3] \ exceeded in length only by some banyan (Ficus spp) roots. Its medium-sized (30 cm), spherical fruit-body contains about 70 individual fruit segments, called pyrenes and hangs from the stem on a stalk.

Distribution and habitat

Pandanus sechellarum was formerly one of the most common species in the indigenous vegetation of the Seychelles, to which it is endemic. Currently it is usually found on steep terrain, river valleys or in accessible mountain tops.

Other indigenous Pandanus of the Seychelles include Pandanus balfourii, Pandanus hornei and Pandanus multispicatus. The Madagascan species Pandanus utilis is introduced and is now also widespread.