Common Names:
Betel Nut Palm
Distribution & Habitat:
It has been widely cultivated for centuries, so its
original home is uncertain, tho it is probably Malaysian rainforest.
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.
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 2. A. catechu
trunk close-up.
|
Figure 1. A. catechu
with infructescence.
Cultivation:
An easily grown palm for both the tropics and
warm sub-tropical areas (it is cold sensitive).
It prefers shade as a seedling, but it does take
full sun at quite a young age. It likes a moist,
well drained soil, and doesn't like to dry out.
|
