Family: Pandanaceae
Common name: Kaida, False pineapple
Kaida is a beautiful plant found very commonly along the coast in India, Sri Lanka and other Southeast Asian countries. Their strong, woody, stilt roots help the plant anchor itself in strong winds and waves.
Plant characteristics
These tall plants can reach a height of 4-6 meters with a strong, thick stem that is mostly covered in leaf bases and dried, wilted leaves.
The roots are the most noticeable feature of the Kaida plant – numerous stilt roots arising from the stem of the plant anchoring it to the soil very strongly. The entire plant looks like a multi-legged monster with a dense thicket of green hair.
These aerial roots help the Kaida plant adapt themselves to living in coastal regions, withstanding strong winds and occasional waves that try to batter it down. They also prevent soil erosion, which is a distinct danger in sea or river coasts.
The leaves of Kaida are long and sword-shaped, about 1-1.5 meters long. They are arranged in a spiral pattern around the stem, typical of screwpines. Leaves are quite narrow, about 6-8 cm long with a thorny margin.
Surface of the leaves are smooth, dark green and glossy with a prominent midrib. The leathery texture of the Kaida leaves help them to withstand the harsh weather conditions they are subjected to.
Kaida flowers are large and cone-shaped, growing in clusters at the top of the plants. These plants are dioecious, which means that individuals plants are either male or female.
Female flowers are slightly smaller than male flowers, both highly fragrant. The sweet scent is more noticeable in the evening, attracting nocturnal pollinators like moths and bats that help pollinate the flowers.
Fruits of the Kaida are large and rounded, similar to the structure of a pineapple with several independent knobs forming a large sphere. The fruits are not edible in the raw state, but they can be eaten after processing.
These fruits are 15-30 cm in diameter with a spiny, tough, outer skin that is initially green, gradually turning yellow and then orange when they ripen.
Gardening tips
Pandanus species are not commonly grown in home gardens since their clump of aerial roots and fallen leaves make them ideal breeding grounds for snakes. They are mostly seen in the wild, near seas, rivers, wetlands, and dunes.
They prefer sandy soil and need regular watering. Kaida plants are tolerant of salty wind and water, and can thrive under these conditions.
Pruning can be done to prevent excessive leaf growth, but the plants are difficult to approach because of the stiff thorns. They do no need fertilizers or pesticides in their natural conditions.
Uses of Kaida
The stem of the Kaida has a fibrous texture and is used for weaving. Thick, leathery leaves are used for weaving baskets and mats. They are also used for wrapping food.
Parts of the plant were used in traditional herbal medicine in the treatment of cuts, wounds, fever, skin diseases, stomach ailments, and joint pain.
The ecological significance of Kaida far outweighs any other benefits they have. Since there are very few plants suited to grow along coast lines, these plants with their abundant foliage and aerial roots provide good nesting grounds for small animals that live along the shoreline.
The area covered by the thick, crisscross roots provide protection from predators as well as the elements of nature. These roots also hold fast to the soil, preventing the precious topsoil from washing away due to waves and wind.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds, stem cuttings, and root division.
Seeds collected from ripe fruits should be dried and soaked in water before they are planted in soil. Since the Kaida plants are capable of producing roots from the stem, stem cuttings with leaf nodes can also be used for propagation.
Root division can be done for medium-sized plants where the plant is dug up, and carefully separated into individual plants from the roots.
Photographed at: Bentota beach, Sri Lanka
