Screw Pine is
the very descriptive name of this tropical palm-like tree that is native to Madagascar.
The edible fruits resemble pineapples, hence the pine – pineapple in the name,
and the stout stems resemble large screws because they have many narrow, spirally
arranged leaf scars. The screw pine is a coastal plant that grows along seashores
and in coastal lagoons. It has large aerial prop roots that stabilize it in
shifting sands. The spirally arranged leaves are light green or blue green and
are in large tufts on the branches. Male
plants have large, pendant clusters of fragrant, whitish flowers. The female
plants produce large, globose clusters of fruits. The fruits contain many segments
that are olive green at the apex and bright orange or yellow at the base. It
has horizontal, spreading or ascending branches and a broad, pyramidal to
rounded canopy. It grows up to 60 feet tall. The screw pine is widely
cultivated in the tropics and subtropics as an ornamental plant. Leaves are
used to make mats, nets and thatched roofs. The fruits are edible after cooking
and make a starchy food. It grows in full sun and part shade and is salt tolerant,
wind tolerant and tolerant of a variety of soils. Hardy in zones 10-11.
Growing
Instructions
1. Soak the
seed in water for 24 hours.
2. The seeds
like moist soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite
or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot. Water the mixture so that it is moist
but not wet.
3. Put the
seeds on the soil.
4. Cover the
seeds with a thin layer of soil.
5. Water the
seeds.
6. Place the
pots in an area with warm temperatures in full sun or part shade. The
seeds take 2-3 months to germinate.
7. When the
seedlings are about 1 foot tall, they can be transplanted.
Bryan (verified owner) –
I was happy about the quick delivery and that the seeds actually sprouted within 7 days
Kai (verified owner) –
Good service.
Ryker (verified owner) –
I was happy about the quick delivery and that the seeds actually sprouted within 7 days
Avery (verified owner) –
I would absolutely recommend this seed to anyone looking to grow veggies this year. I decided to do starts this year and just three days after planting
Owen (verified owner) –
Very fast delivery.