Description
Areca
There are around 50-60 species of single stemmed or a densely clumping clusters of stems palms found growing in wet woodland in humid tropical forest from Malaysia and Indonesia, in this genus. Best known in the form betel Palm (Areca catecha) from which betel nuts are obtained-chewed by many people in Asia and the Pacific as a mild narcotic. They are grown for their linear or lance-shaped 2 pinnate leaves produced in terminal tuft above a distinct crown shaft with panicles of red, orange, or yellow cup shaped flowers borne beneath them. One-sided red or yellow fruits are mostly egg-shaped and in size.
When grown indoors use soilless potting mix in bright filtered light. During the growing season water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, keep just moist in winter.
When able to grow outdoors in a frost free climate place in fertile moist but well-drained soil in partial shade.
Prone to a few fungal leaf spots, Ganoderma butt rot, and spider mites.
Areca triandra – This is a medium sized palm is found from Mountain rainforest from Eastern India to the Philippines. It can be single stemmed or with a few additional stems sprouting from the base. Stems are green and prominently ringed, reach up to about 10’ feet tall and 3” in diameter. They have dark green; erect fronds, which vary greatly in number and width sometimes 12” wide. Several large panicles of cream flowers are often present at the same time has the fruiting panicles. The abundant fruits are bright red when ripe each about 1” long.
Zones 11-12
