pandanus

American  

[pan-dey-nuhs, -dan-uhs] / pænˈdeɪ nəs, -ˈdæn əs /

noun

plural

pandanuses

1. any plant of the genus Pandanus, having sword-shaped leaves arranged in a spiral, comprising the screw pines.

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pandanus British  

/ pænˈdeɪnəs /

noun

1. any of various Old World tropical palmlike plants of the genus Pandanus, having large aerial prop roots and leaves that yield a fibre used for making mats, etc: family Pandanaceae See also screw pine

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Etymology

Origin of pandanus

1770–80; < New Latin, based on Malay pandan name for such plants

Example Sentences

Giant palm trunks were to be flying buttresses for multiple roofs, which were to be sheathed in pandanus leaves.

From New York Times • Jun. 23, 2022

In the future, you could be breakfasting on false banana or snacking on pandanus tree fruit.

From BBC • May 21, 2022

Its handful of houses hide behind a dune covered with morning glories and pandanus trees, the chitter of cicadas interrupted only by the cadence of waves and the call of an azure-winged jay.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 13, 2021

When not at Maningrida, he likes to spend time at Milmilngkan, a remote outstation on a creek with nearby waterholes and a spring that bubbles up amid a pandanus grove.

From Washington Post • Aug. 31, 2018

Between helpings the women sat back, waving fans made out of silk, paper, sandalwood, and pandanus fronds.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston