Freycinetia
(named after Admiral Freycinet, 1779-1842, the French circumnavigator). ORD. Pandaneae. A genus of about thirty species, natives of Eastern tropical Asia, the Malayan Archipelago, tropical Australia, and the Pacific Islands. They are tall-growing evergreen stove climbers, suitable for clothing pillars, &c., which should, however, be bound round with sphagnum or fibrous peat, kept moist, so that the climbing stems may root into it. The soil in which the plants do best, either in pots or when planted out, is a well-drained sandy loam Increased by offsets.
F. Banksii (Banks'). fl., spikes cylindrical, 3in. to 4in. long, surrounded by white, fleshy bracts. fr. 6in to 8in. long, and 6in. to 8in. in circumference, of a rich brown hue when ripe, edible. New Zealand. (B. M. 6028.) F. Cumingiana (Cuming's). This has shorter, ascending or horizontally spreading leaves (not arching, as in F. Banksii). It is, moreover, a more slender grower.
F. theoides (Tea-like). A synonym of Cleyera theoides.