The adan is an evergreen small tree that thrives on the beaches of Okinawa Island, forming dense crowds along the coast. It grows to a height of 3 to 6 meters and its stems curve upward at an angle, branch out, and produce numerous aerial roots (supporting roots). The leaves are narrow and elongated, 3 to 7 centimeters wide and 1 to 1.5 meters long, with sharp spines along the edges.
The adan is dioecious. On male plants, male flowers hang down from the leaf axils, while on female plants, female flowers appear at the tips of the branches. This plant bears spherical, pineapple-like fruits (aggregate fruits) about 20 cm in diameter, which turn orange when ripe. These fruits are not edible to humans but are a favorite food of coconut crabs and hermit crabs.
The part humans eat is not the fruit or the tough leaves, but the tender young shoots. On the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa, they are eaten in Chanpuru (stir-fries) or as Tempura. The leaves are stripped of their spines, sun-dried, and used to make mats, baskets, hats, and other items.
No comments:
Post a Comment