View source for Kaffo'

{{Infobox plant
| name = Kaffo’
| image = <!-- Add image file name here, e.g., Pandanus_kaffo_fruit.jpg -->
| image_caption = Fruit head of ''Pandanus tectorius'' (kaffo’ type)
| status = 
| status_system = 
| regnum = Plantae
| unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
| unranked_classis = Monocots
| unranked_ordo = Commelinids
| ordo = Pandanales
| familia = Pandanaceae
| genus = ''Pandanus''
| species = ''P. tectorius''
| binomial = ''Pandanus tectorius''
| binomial_authority = Parkinson
| local_name = Kaffo’
| part_used = Fruit head
| use = Decoration, wildlife food
}}

== Kaffo’ ==

'''Kaffo’''' is a named type of ''Pandanus'' in the Mariana Islands. It is associated with a form of ''Pandanus tectorius'' (previously referred to as ''P. fragrans'') but is not typically used for weaving or cordage. Its primary role is ecological, providing wildlife food for [[fånihi]], and ecosystem services such as windbreaks, coastal protection, and sand stabilization.<ref>Orwa, C., Mutua, A., Kindt, R., Jamnadass, R., & Simons, A. (2009). ''Agroforestree Database: A Tree Reference and Selection Guide Version 4.0''. World Agroforestry Centre. <a href="https://apps.worldagroforestry.org/treedb2/AFTPDFS/Pandanus_tectorius.PDF" target="_blank">Full PDF</a></ref> .

== Scientific name ==
''Pandanus tectorius'' (formerly ''P. fragrans'')

== Part(s) used ==
Fruit head

== Cultural uses ==
* Whole fruit heads are used as decorations during festivities.
* Serves as a food source for wildlife.
* Not traditionally used for weaving or other utilitarian fiber applications.

== Botanical notes ==
The following description is based on Stone’s 1967 study of ''Pandanus'' in the Marianas.<ref>Stone, B. C. (1967). ''The genus Pandanus in Micronesia, I. The Marianas species''. ''Micronesica'', 3(2), 105–128. <a href="https://micronesica.org/sites/default/files/3_stone.pdf" target="_blank">Full PDF</a></ref>

* Leaves usually less than 10 cm broad, relatively narrower, the tip produced gradually into an elongate whip-like extension.
* Texture firm but thin.
* Male inflorescence with white bracts.
* Cephalium subglobose, globose, or ovoid, mostly 15–20 cm wide.
* Phalanges generally 2–8-celled, with 2–8 horizontal or oblique often rather small stigmas.
* Not or scarcely glaucous.
* Ripening to orange or vermilion.
* Upper mesocarp chambered.
* Seeds embedded in dense bony endocarp, rather small; often 4–8 cm long, rarely longer.

== External links ==
* [https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:670872-1 Pandanus tectorius – Kew Science]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandanus_tectorius Pandanus tectorius – Wikipedia]

== References ==
<references/>