Kaffo'

Kaffo’
[[File:|250px]]
Fruit head of Pandanus tectorius (kaffo’ type)
Scientific classification
Kingdom	Plantae
Clade	Tracheophytes
Clade	Angiosperms
Clade	Monocots
Order	Pandanales
Family	Pandanaceae
Genus	Pandanus
Species:	P. tectorius
Binomial name:
Pandanus tectorius
Synonyms
No synonyms listed

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. .

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.

• 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

• Pandanus tectorius – Kew Science
• Pandanus tectorius – Wikipedia