Åkgak

Pandanus sp.
åkgak growing at Tweksbury Beach Park, Luta, CNMI
Scientific classification
Kingdom	Plantae
Clade	Tracheophytes
Clade	Angiosperms
Clade	Monocots
Order	Pandanales
Family	Pandanaceae
Genus	Pandanus
Species:	P. tectorius
Binomial name:
Pandanus sp. Parkinson ex Du Roi
Synonyms
No synonyms listed

Åkgak is the Chamorro word for the plant and leaves of the a tree which is currently labeled as Pandanus tectorius. Åkgak leaves are traditionally harvested and processed for weaving. It is considered a superior fiber source compared to wild-growing kaffo'.

Cultural Use

• Used for weaving kostat tengguang, kottot, baskets, guåfak, and tuhong.
• Strips of leaves are used for tying higai (thatch) to the roof frame of huts.

Botanical Information

Although åkgak is currently labeled with the binomial Pandanus tectorius, it differs in morphology from kaffo'. It's growth habit, leaf morphology, and leaf quality are the main differences observed by Chamorro cultural pratitioners. It must be planted from cuttings as the only known åkgak tree sex is male. It readily mañusu (produces side shoots) near the ground and will exhibit a crawling habit if not maintained by the grower. Additionally, the leaves are a different color from kaffo' being a brighter green and possessing a prominent glaucous waxy coating which gives the leaves a blueish green hue. The thorns are finer, a lighter color, and much more uniform in size and spacing as compared to other types of Marianas pandanus. The trees are generally replanted around 10-15 years old when they've grown too tall and start producing shorter leaves. Contrary to published descriptions, åkgak flowers are known to practitioners and routinely seen during the life of the tree. They are short lived.

• Binomial: Pandanus tectorius
• Family: Pandanaceae

Related Vocabulary

• fagot - strip of åkgak
• håle' åkgak / hongguan - growing tip of aerial roots

Gallery

• 
  åkgak tree
• 
  åkgak inflorescence
• 
  åkgak inflorescence

See also

• kaffo'
• påhong
• paingut
• akå'on