Pandan

Location in MGP:

Common Name: Pandan

Scientific Name: Pandanus amaryllifolius

Points of Interest:

Pandan can be considered an ancient cultigen (a plant artificially selected for growing by humans). It is now widely grown and har in several parts of Asia. This species is the only pandan (Pandanus spp.) that has developed a scent. 

The leaves of the miniature shrub-like form (as shown below) are used fresh as a source of flavor and coloring for cooking rice, as wraps for frying chicken, and cakes. Taxi drivers in Singapore often place a few bundles of Pandan leaves in their vehicles to chase away insects like cockroaches. 

The leaves of the larger form of Pandan are lightly scented, and usually used to wrap traditional Peranakan rice dumplings.

(Ng, Corlett, & Tan, 2011)

Pandan

Pandan

Close-up of the leaves

Reference:
Ng, P. K. L., Corlett, R., & Tan, H. T. W. (Eds.). (2011). Singapore Biodiversity: An Encyclopedia of the Natural Environment and Sustainable Development. Singapore: EDM.