SafePlants

Areca catechu: The Betel Palm

The Areca catechu, commonly known as the areca palm, betel palm, areca nut palm, Indian nut, or Pinang palm, is a tropical palm species cultivated for its seeds, the areca nuts.

Considerations for Pets

• The areca nut is sometimes chewed.
• The areca nut is the seed of the areca palm.
• The seed of the Areca Catechu is used in the preparation of betel quid.

Considerations for Children

• The seeds of the palm are cut into narrow pieces and rolled inside Betel Pepper leaf, rubbed over with lime and chewed by natives.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Areca catechu
• Family: Arecaceae
• Genus: Areca
• Species: Catechu
• Common Names: Adike, Areca, Betel Nut, Betel Palm, Betelnut, Fobal, Goorrecanut Palm, Gouvaka, Indian Nut, Pinang Palm
• Synonyms: Betel Nut Palm, Arecanut Palm, Arquier

Distribution and Habitat

The Areca catechu is native to tropical Asia. It's found across Asia, where the nuts are harvested.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• The areca tree is a feathery palm.
• This palm tree can grow up to 75 feet high.
• It has leaves of 3 feet long with large pinnate leaves.
• The fruit is orange-yellow when ripe, up to 2.5 inches long, and known as betel nuts. It has a fleshy pericarp and fibrous mesocarp.
• It is a slender, single-trunked palm.
• It grows to approximately 1.5 m in height.

Uses and Cultural Significance

• The areca nut is chewed, often in combination with slaked lime and betel leaf (from the betel pepper plant, Piper betle), a preparation known as betel quid.
• Chewing the nut stains the lips.