Palms   Areca catechu

Common Names: Betel Nut Palm Distribution: It has been widely cultivated for centuries, so its original home is uncertain, tho it is probably Malaysia. Habitat: Tropical rainforests. Description: A very attractive palm to about 10 m high, with dark green leaves, and an attractive dark green, ringed trunk. It has fragrant, scented, white flowers, which form into orange/scarlet fruit about 50 mm (2 inchs) long. Cultivation: An easily grown palm for both the tropics and warm sub-tropical areas (it is apparently cold sensitive). It prefers shade when young, although it does take full sun at quite a young age. It likes a moist, well drained soil, and doesn't like to dry out.

Figure 2. A. catechu with infructescence.

Figure 2. Trunk close-up

General: This plant is a very usefull and attractive addition to garden, because it is one of the few smaller growing sun tolerant feather palms (the other main one is Ptychosperma elegans ). This palm is the basis of a large industry in SE Asia, where the seed is chewed for its intoxicating properties, as well as its supposedly beneficial side effects, such as aiding digestion, and controlling internal parasites and dysentery.

Figure 3. Beautifull group shot in Sumatra.

References: Palms Throughout The World, David Jones.

Contributed by: Mike Gray

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