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freycinetia

Scientific Name: Freycinetia

Family: Pandanaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Freycinetia: A Climbing Wonder

The genus Freycinetia belongs to the flowering plant family Pandanaceae and encompasses approximately 180-200 species. These plants are often found as climbers in tropical regions.

Considerations for Pets

  • Several Freycinetia species are climbing shrubs.
  • Freycinetia are woody climbers.
  • Some species are described as having red berries.

Considerations for Children

  • Several Freycinetia species are climbing shrubs.
  • Freycinetia are woody climbers.
  • Some species are described as having red berries.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Freycinetia Gaudich.
  • Family: Pandanaceae (screwpalm family)
  • Order: Pandanales
  • Class: Monocots
  • Synonyms:
    • Freycinetia angulata C.B.Rob. ex Martelli

Common Names

  • 'Ie'ie (specifically for Freycinetia arborea)
  • Kiekie (specifically for Freycinetia banksii)
  • Climbing Pandan (for Freycinetia sumatrana var sumatrana)
  • 'Ie (for Freycinetia arborea)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Freycinetia species are distributed in coastal or marshy areas.
  • Freycinetia arborea is endemic to the Pacific Islands and is indigenous to most of the Main Hawaiian Islands and the Marquesas Islands (Hiva Oa, Nuku Hiva).
  • Freycinetia banksii is native to New Zealand.
  • Freycinetia excelsa is found in Australia.
  • A new species, Freycinetia sessiliflora, was discovered on Mount Nyiut-Sambas.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Freycinetia are evergreen woody climbers.
  • Stems can grow from 0.5-2 meters long.
  • They have slender roots that grow along the stem.
  • Some species are densely branched and brittle.
  • They can be dioecious (separate male and female plants) or rarely monoecious.

Ecological Role

  • The water that collects at the bases of Freycinetia arborea leaves provides a breeding site and juvenile habitat for two Hawaiian endemic damselfly species.
  • Freycinetia banksii is noted as being the only member of the screw-pine family present within New Zealand.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Some Freycinetia species are pollinated by bats.

Quirky Facts

  • The genus Freycinetia was named by Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupr (1789-1854) after Admiral Louis de Freycinet (1779-1842).

Further Information

  • ARKive provides photos and facts about Freycinetia.
  • More information is available from the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden regarding Freycinetia multiflora.
  • Additional resources can be found at the Department of Applied Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand, concerning Freycinetia baueriana.