The gardens at Castaway Cove have several excellent specimens of the oddly-shaped Pandanus tree.

Pandanus, or screw pine, is a large and complex genus found worldwide on tropical and subtropical coasts but also extending into inland areas of the moist tropics. It is one of the iconic tree species of Queensland, common on the frontal beach ridges and exposed coastal headlands along the entire east coast.

Pandanus is a small spreading evergreen tree up to 6m high with stout ‘prop roots’ near the base which provide support as the tree grows top-heavy with leaves, fruit, and branches, and firmly anchor the tree in loose sand.

  The tree is sand and salt tolerant and can withstand exposure to strong winds. When growing on the seaward slope and crest of the frontal dune it helps bind the sand and prevent wind erosion.

They have long, thin, light green, strap-shaped leaves, which grow in spirals on the plant's stems. As the plant grows, the leaves drop off, leaving 'scars' on the stems. The dead leaves are a constant mess to clean up and you have to be careful as they have thorns along their edges.

The fruiting heads, resembling a woody pineapple, are up to 25cm across.  The heavy heads hang from very stout branches and can remain on the tree for over 12 months.