Pandanus odorifer (Forssk.) Kuntze.
| Synonym : | Pandanus odoratissimus L. f. Athrodactylis spinosa J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. Bromelia sylvestris Burm.f. Keura odorifera Forssk. Pandanus odoratus Salisb. |
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| Bangla Name : | Keya, Ketaky, Keora, Keurikanta, Kewa kanta. |
| English Name : | Screw pine, Caldera Bush. |
| Family : | Pandanaceae |
| Disease : | Alexiteric, tonic , aphrodisiac, leprosy, small-pox, syphilis, scabies , leucoderma, diabetes, headache , rheumatism, diuretic, depurative and tonic. |
| Description : | A much-branched shrub or a small tree, up to 6 m high, stem supported by aerial roots. Leaves 0.9-1.5 m long, ensiform, caudate-acuminate, the marginal spines pointing forward. Male fowers: spadix with numerous subsessile cylindric spikes. Female flowers: spadix solitary, 5 cm diam. Fruit an oblong or globose syncarpium, 15-25 cm long. |
| Distribution : | Coastal areas including St. Martin’s and sporadically in other districts. |
| Chemical Constituents : | Bracts of flowers yield an essential oil containing methyl ether of ?-phenylethyl alcohol as principle constituent (70%). Essential oil obtained from blossoms (0.1- 0.3%) contains benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, geranio |
| Uses : | Leaves are alexiteric, tonic and aphrodisiac, used in leprosy, small-pox, syphilis, scabies and leucoderma. Leaves and spadix are used in diabetes. The oil and otto obtained from the bracts are considered stimulant and antispasmodic and are administered i |
| Habit : | Shrub |