Java is the 5th largest island in Indonesia and 13th in the world. Yet, despite being the most explored island in Malesia, there is always something new comes out from this island and this is apparently true in the case of Pandanaceae. The Pandans of Java have long been regarded as well documented in as testified by the works of Backer (1925) and Backer and Bakhuizen van den Brink (1968), particularly in the latter works known as the four great volumes of Flora of Java. Thus, a new species of Pandanaceae (especially arboreal taxon from the genus Pandanus) from Java after the publication of the above-mentioned volumes can be regarded as a great discovery. The recent discovery of Pandanus basilocularis in the Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten, which was previously endemic to Borneo, supports the remarkable fact indicating that how fairly little is still known about the Pandan flora of this amazing island.
Twenty species of Pandanaceae are currently recorded in Java: Six species of Freycinetia, one species of Benstonea, and 13 species of Pandanus, in which one is a new record for Java, Pandanus basilocularis. Pandanus oviger is recollected and extends its distribution further to the west from its type locality. New record and extension of distribution area are also recorded for P. scabrifolius. The placement of P. odoratissimus as a synonymy of P. tectorius is supported by this current study. Also, Pandanus furcatus as a wide spread species from Java to India and with a wide spectrum of morphological variations are supported in this current study.
This humble but amazing book itself is a publication that aimed to present up to date information concerning the diversity and the ethnobotany of the Pandan flora of Java
