They appear tree or shrub-like and have leaves that sometimes attain lengths of as much as 4.5 m. The leaves are tough and armed with strong prickles for protection from grazing animals. They are many species of pandanus found in Malaysia.
Different species provide different uses.
Species that are commonly used for matting are popularly known as mengkuang and those used for flavouring are called pandan . The fruit of certain species are edible. Amongst such is the fruit of pandan hutan . At Paya Indah, one of the prominent features of the peat swamp forest is the Pandanus atrocarpus , locally known as pandan duri . They are found in abundance at the logged-over areas at the fringe of the peat swamp forest.