MUSCAT: Al Kadhi, also known as Keedha in Oman and scientifically known as Pandanus tectorius or Screw Pine, is a tropical plant that naturally grew in the western parts of Dhofar in Oman. It was also planted in farms and gardens in the Al Batinah, Al Sharqiya, and Dakhiliyah governorates. The special feature of this plant is its fragrance.
The fragrant tree faced its own challenges and is now protected. Al Kadhi used to grow naturally in large numbers but became endangered due to being uprooted. "They were affected because of uncontrolled uprooting," according to Environment Authority officials.
The authority fenced the only remaining site in Dhofar where the trees naturally exist, preserving them. This fenced site in Dhofar was also used to plant seedlings from the mother trees to regenerate the original ones.
Left alone without human interference, the trees can survive in an arid climate too.
There is even an Omani song about this tree, celebrating its fragrance.
A recent report pointed out that out of 7,000 edible plants worldwide, only 417 are widely grown and used for food.
The pandanus (Pandanus tectorius) is a small tree that grows in coastal areas from the Pacific Islands to the Philippines. The leaves are used to flavor sweet and savory dishes across much of Southeast Asia, while the pineapple-like fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.
The tree can tolerate challenging conditions, including drought, strong winds, and salt spray, said a research fellow at Kew, Dr Maribel Soto Gomez.
According to her, it is a climate-resilient and nutritious food that is also delicious. "It would be great to diversify our food portfolio to include food that is culturally appropriate, nutritious, and can be grown in challenging conditions all around the world," she said.
As of now, people can only wait to see the population of this tree come back to normal levels. Two healthy trees are in the Environment Authority’s garden within the compound in Al Khuwair along with other native plants and trees of Oman. But currently, their flowers are dry, as they bloom in January and February every year.
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