screw pine

noun

1. any tropical Asian tree or shrub of the genus Pandanus, having a palmlike or branched stem, long, narrow, rigid, spirally arranged leaves and aerial roots, and bearing an edible fruit.

screw pine

noun

1. any of various pandanaceous plants of the Old World tropical genus Pandanus, having a spiral mass of pineapple-like leaves and heavy conelike fruits

Word History and Origins

Origin of screw pine¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Most of these parasols, prepared from the leaves of the screw-pine, are imported hither from China.

From Project Gutenberg

Contrasting with this humble grass, observe that luxuriant Screw-pine.

From Project Gutenberg

The mid-rib of the screw pine growing in the forests of tropical America furnishes the material of which "Panama" hats are made.

From Project Gutenberg

The material used is toquilla straw, the mid-rib of the screw-pine (Carlodovica palmata).

From Project Gutenberg

The orang had grasped a screw-pine, and he held on, but he struggled no more.

From Project Gutenberg