Areca catechu

Botanical Name: Areca catechu L.

Family: Arecaceae

Common Name: Betel Palm, Pakku

English Name: Areca palm, pinang

Description: It is an evergreen single-stemmed palm tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall but is more commonly around 15 metres. Arecanut is an erect, unbranched palm reaching heights of 12-30 m, depending upon the environmental conditions. The stem, marked with scars of fallen leaves in a regular annulated form, becomes visible only when the palm is about 3 years old. Girth depends on genetic variation and soil conditions. Root system adventitious, typical of monocots. The adult palm has 7-12 open leaves, each with a sheath, a rachis and leaflets. The leaf stalk extends as the midrib until the end of the leaf and ends as leaflets. Male flowers very numerous, sessile, without bracts; calyx 1-leaved, small, 3-cornered, 3-parted; petals 3, oblong, rigid striated; stamens 6, anthers sagittate. Female flowers solitary or 2 or 3 at or near the base of each ramification of the spadix, sessile, without bracts; sepals permanent; staminodes 6, connate, styles scarcely any; stigmas 3, short, triangular. Fruit a monolocular, one-seeded berry, 3.8-5 cm long, smooth orange or scarlet when ripe, with a fibrous outer layer. The generic name is derived from the common name used by the people of the Malabar Coast in southwestern India.

Flowering & Fruiting: Throughout the year

Distribution: E. Asia – Philippines, Cultivated from India to the Solomon lslands and less commonly in Africa and Tropical America

IUCN: No

District: All District of Tamil Nadu

Uses: A dusting of powder is used for wounds and ulcers. Nut is taken in diseases of the mouth and throat infections. The oil is applied in a backache, waist pain and other vata vyadhi. The seed mixed with lime useful in the decay of teeth and along with sugar is used in diaeehoea.

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