DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
MEDICINAL PLANTS
Areca catechu L.
Common Name: Betel nut palm
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Areca
Species: catechu
Malayalam Name: adakka or kamuku.
Tamil Name: aḍaikkāy
Plant Description: Areca catechu is a medium-sized palm tree, growing straight to 20 m (66 ft) tall, with a trunk 10–15 cm (4–6 in) in diameter.
The trunk is slender and green, and ages to a gray color with prominent white leaf scars. The stem is only visible when the palm is about three years old.
Leaves: The leaves are long, smooth, green, and pinnate, with 30–50 lanceolate-shaped leaflets.
Inflorescence: The inflorescence is crowded and branched, and is borne below the leaves. The inflorescence is monoecious, with male flowers on the apical side and female flowers on the basal side.
Flowers: The flowers are unisexual, yellow, or creamy white-colored. Male flowers are small and deciduous, with three petals and a calyx cut into three minute lobes. Female flowers are larger, with three sepals and three petals.
Fruits: The fruits are ovoid, hard, and red-orange colored. They are usually 1-seeded with a fibrous pericarp and about 6 mm thick.
Uses:
Interior landscaping: The areca palm is often used in large indoor areas like malls and hotels. It is a slow-growing plant that requires high light and little water.
Disposable plates and bowls: In India, the dried leaves of the areca palm are hot-pressed into disposable plates and bowls.
Consumption: Areca nuts are consumed in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, East Asia, and other countries.
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