THE CORAL ROUTE
Sir,-J.W. writes in your issue of July 20, "I was amazed to hear Bryan O’Brien, after saying that authors should be sure of their facts when referring to an author who mistook the pandanus tree for a pineapple tree, say that pandanus fruit is inedible. . . Should not compéres be sure of their facts?" First, I did not say "authors should be sure of their facts." This statement was made by the person interviewed, Mr. Porcellano.
In regard to the pandanus as a food, I. repeat that in Polynesia the fruit is generally classed as inedible, and is never offered for sale as a food. But in times of famine many "inedible" things are eaten. If J.W. wants a quick verification of these facts, I refer him to the Naval-Handbook for the. South Pacific, a publication which has a strategic interest in the edibility of tropical fruits. In the book the pandanus is named as a famine food only, and while it~ has some nutritive value, it is normally never eaten by the natives. Is J.W. aware that there are 250 varieties of pandanus spread throughout ..various parts of the tropical world? The fruit of many of these varieties is so fetid that they could not be eaten under any circumstances. I have many times seen the pandanus gathered, but it was used only for making artificial flowers.
BRYAN
O'BRIEN
(Wellington).
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 35, Issue 887, 3 August 1956, Page 5
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233THE CORAL ROUTE New Zealand Listener, Volume 35, Issue 887, 3 August 1956, Page 5
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