Family: Pandanaceae
Origin, Description & Uses:
Freycinetia multiflora, commonly known as climbing pandanus or flowering pandanus, is native to the Philippines and Sulawesi. This tropical species differs from typical pandanus trees by its vigorous climbing habit, using aerial roots to scramble over surrounding vegetation in humid forest environments. It has long, narrow leaves with spiny edges and produces clusters of showy bracts in shades of cream, yellow, or orange, making it visually striking. Because of its unique growth form and ornamental appeal, it is occasionally cultivated in tropical gardens and botanical collections where it can create a lush, jungle-like effect.
Risks & Threats:
Although Freycinetia multiflora is not currently known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it does possess traits that are cause for concern. Its ability to climb and spread over other plants could allow it to smother native vegetation or compete for light and space if it escapes cultivation. In similar tropical environments, climbing species can form dense growth that alters forest structure and impacts native ecosystems. Caution is recommended to ensure that this species will not negatively impact Hawaiʻi, and further evaluation is needed before it is more widely planted or distributed.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Reported to have pointed, spiny leaves
- Shade-tolerant
- Climbing habit (could potentially smother other plants)
- Reproduces by seeds, and vegetatively by suckers
- Seeds, if produced, dispersed by birds, bats, or other frugivorous animals
- Limited ecological information reduces accuracy of risk prediction
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization
- Non-toxic
- Ornamental
- Dioecious
- Long time to reproductive maturity (exact age unknown, but anecdotally make take 15 years or longer)
