Pandanus odorifer, commonly known as fragrant screw-pine, is a dioecious tree with a palm-like appearance, native to tropical coastal regions and islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including Polynesia, Australia, South Asia, and the Philippines. It thrives in coastal forests, often in sandy soils, and is adapted to withstand salt spray and strong winds. This species typically grows up to 13 feet tall and features rosettes of sword-shaped, spiny bluish-green leaves, which can reach several feet in length. The fragrant screw-pine is particularly noted for its highly aromatic flowers, which bloom in the summer. The male flowers are especially prized for their scent and are used in the production of kewra water, a fragrant distillate with culinary and medicinal applications.

The fragrant screw-pine is valued for its ornamental foliage and the sweet fragrance of its flowers, which can perfume an entire garden area. It is often used in tropical and subtropical landscapes as a specimen plant or for screening purposes. In cultivation, it requires well-drained soil, regular watering, and full sun to partial shade. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it may need protection from frost in cooler climates. The plant’s cultural significance is evident in India, where it is known by various regional names such as ’kaithai’ in Tamil and ’mogali’ in Telugu, and its flowers are used in religious ceremonies and traditional medicine.CC BY-SA 4.0