The trunk features aerial prop roots. The leaves are linear and spiny, with a spiral arrangement on the tree. The leaves are also dried out and rolled, and used to make mats in Kerala, India; and Hawaii. Care must be taken when handling the leaves because of their sharp spines.
The fruit of Pandanus utilis is edible, although not flavorful to humans and must be cooked prior to consumption. It attracts mammals such as, in North America, squirrels.