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Pandanus utilis: Native to Madagascar Screw-Pine creates a striking landscape effect wherever it is used, screw-pine has a pyramidal, sometimes irregular, open, but much-branched silhouette. The smooth, stout trunks is topped with full, graceful heads of long, thin leaves, three feet long and three inches wide, emerging spirally from stubby branches. It is not a true pine tree. The blue-green foliage color adds to the striking nature of this exotic tree. The leaves are edged with small red spines and are used to make mats and baskets in the tropics. Large brace-roots emerge from the trunk several feet above the ground, helping to support the plant. Screw-pine is capable of reaching 60 feet in height but is not usually seen over 30 feet in USDA hardiness zone 10 and 11, with a spread of 20 feet. Growth rate is slow to moderate, depending upon fertilization and watering schedules, and screw-pine is very popular for use as a specimen or container planting. Although the male plants possess conspicuous, fragrant flowers, it is the female plant which is preferred for landscape use because of the large, eight to nine-inch, globular fruits which hang from "cords". The fruits are made up of 100 to 200 tightly compressed drupes, similar to those of a pineapple, and change from green to yellow when ripe. There is only a small amount of edible pulp but the fruits are quite showy. Screw-Pine produces fruit when grown in full sun but young plants may be kept in the shade. Soil should be well-drained and plants kept well-watered. Screw-Pine may be considered messy due to the constant leaf-drop throughout the year. No pests or diseases are of major concern but occasionally scales. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st430