Sunday 19 May
Vakwa montany (Pandanus balfourii)
Vakwa montany fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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Vakwa montany description
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Pandanales |
| Family | Pandanaceae |
| Genus | Pandanus (1) |
The vakwa montany belongs to the Pandanus group of plants, also known as the screw pines after the spiral arrangement of the leaves (2). The drooping leaves of this species are leathery in texture and up to 1.5 metres long. Small, white spines line the edges and midrib of each leaf. These leaves are borne at the end of slender branches, forming a semi-orbicular crown (2). The vakwa montany bears large fruits, up to 25 centimetres long, which hang from stalks and comprise of 70 to 90 drupes. Each drupe is yellow at the base, blending into red and then green towards the top. The drupes are packed tightly together at the base, in a spiral arrangement (2). Nearly all screw pines have stilt roots (3); roots that arise from the lower part of the trunk, and bend down in a curve into the soil, so that the slender trunk appears to be standing on stilts. It is believed that these roots acts as props and support the tree, increasing its resistance to strong winds (4).
- Also known as
- balfour’s pandanus, vacoa borde de mer, Vacoa de riviere.
- Size
- Height: up to 8 m (2)
- Nature Protection Trust of the Seychelles:
http://islandbiodiversity.com - Nature Seychelles:
http://www.natureseychelles.org - Drupes
- Fleshy fruits with seeds enclosed in a woody covering. Cherries, peaches and plums are all drupes.
- Endemic
- A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
- IUCN Red List (November, 2007)
http://www.iucnredlist.org - Wise, R. (1998) A Fragile Eden. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.
- Allaby, M. (1998) Dictionary of Plant Sciences. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
- Richards, P.W. (1996) The Tropical Rain Forest. Second Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Robertson, S.A. (1989) Flowering Plants of Seychelles. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Dahlgren, R.M.T., Clifford, H.T. and Yeo, P.F. (1985) The Families of the Monocotyledons: Structure, Evolution, and Taxonomy. Springer-Verlag, Berlin and New York.
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Vakwa montany biology
It is generally thought that Pandanus species are pollinated by wind, although pollination by insects and other animals may also be likely. The fleshy drupes of Pandanus species are eaten by animals, which results in the seeds being excreted in a location away from the parent tree, but the dispersal of seeds by sea currents also occurs (6).
TopVakwa montany range
Endemic to the Seychelles, where it occurs on the islands of Mahé, Silhouette, Praslin, La Diegue, Frégate, North, Curieuse, Aride, Félicité, Cousin and Cousine (5).
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Species with a similar range
Vakwa montany habitat
The vakwa montany prefers habitats at low altitudes and is rarely found above 150 metres (2).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Vakwa montany status
Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Vakwa montany threats
Having no economic use has resulted in the vakwa montany surviving in many locations where perhaps other trees have been over-exploited (2), and populations are said to be healthy and stable (1). However, it is classified as Vulnerable to extinction due to its small range, which makes it susceptible to any threats that may arise (1).
TopVakwa montany conservation
There are no specific conservation measures known to be in place for the vakwa montany.
TopFind out more
For further information on biodiversity and conservation in the Seychelles see:
Authentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.ukTopGlossary
References
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Image credit
Pandanus balfourii on hillside
© Dr. Justin Gerlach
Dr. Justin Gerlach
Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles
Seychelles
gerlachs@btinternet.com
http://islandbiodiversity.com
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