Areca catechu

Betel Palm or Areca catechu is a tropical palm of up to 30 m high with a straight and slender trunk. Its dark green leaves can spread 5m across. It is native to the Philippines but is now widely cultivates in the tropics of East Asia for its highly valuable seeds. Betel seeds can be eaten raw while young leaves, inflorescences and the sweet inner part of the shoots are cooked and eaten as vegetables. The seeds are used as a masticatory. Some of its medicinal functions are as follows: for relief of hunger, abdominal pains and exhaustion;against intestinal parasites and other pathogens;against tapeworms ;against anemia, leucoderma, leprosy, and obesity;as a purgative and an ointment for nasal ulcers;and as laxative and diuretic. Leaves are used for thatching and leaf sheath is made into cups, plates and bags. Betel Palm is a great source of tannins. Its wood is used in construction. Sometimes, the tree is used as an ornamental plant. Other common names are Areca Palm, Areca Nut Palm, Indian Nut, and Pinang Palm.

Areca catechu is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m by 8 m at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Wind.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light , medium and heavy soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant is not wind tolerant.

Industrial Crop: Starch Management: Standard Minor Global Crop
Plants succeed in moist tropical climates where temperatures never fall below 10c, the average annual rainfall is 1,500mm or more and the driest month has 25mm or more rain. Prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 5,000mm, evenly distributed through the year. Although tolerant to moderate elevations on mountains, it generally does best at low elevations, especially near the coast. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil and a position in full sun. Being a shade-loving species, the betel palm always does well when grown as a mixed crop with fruit trees. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.8. Plants are drought sensitive. Trees can commence bearing fruit in 6 - 10 years from seed. The fruit take 6-8 months to ripen. Trees can continue fruiting for 30-60 years. Trees can flower throughout the year. The sweet-scented male flowers are visited by bees and other insects for nectar, but insects have not been observed visiting the female flowers. It is thought that most of the flowers are wind pollinated. The use of this herb is subject to legal restrictions in some countries.