Dwarf sugar Palm, Formosan Sugar Palm, Taiwan arenga
Arenga engleri
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A small evergreen palm. It grows to 3 m high and spreads to 1.5 m across. The stem is erect and slender. It forms several stems producing a cluster. The stems are covered with fibres. The leaves are dull green above and silvery below. The fronds are 1.5-3 m long. The leaflets are crowded on the fronds. Often the ends and edges are irregular. The flowers are orange and occur in stiff branched stalks. The flowering stalks come from among the leaves and after that stalk fruits that particular stem dies. The fruit are deep red berries. They are 12 mm across and round. Each berry contains 3 hard grey seeds. The pulp of the fruit damages the skin.
There are 17-20 Arenga species.
Where it is found
It will grow from tropical to warm temperate locations. It grows up to 1,600 m above sea level. It will grow in most soils. It needs a protected position. It is damaged by frost or drought. It can tolerate sun or shade. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. Geelong Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Botanical gardens hothouse. Brisbane Botanical Gardens. In XTBG Yunnan. In Townsville palmetum.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, China, Hainan, Indonesia, Japan (country/location of origin), Mexico, North America, SE Asia, Taiwan (country/location of origin), USA
How it is used for food
The pith of the stem is used to extract starch. The sap from the flowering stalk is sweet and made into sugar. The young leaves and buds are eaten.
Edible parts
Cabbage, starch, sap, palm heart
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. The seed germinate erratically taking either weeks or months. It is best to soak the seed for 3-5 days. It can also be improved by filing the mesocarp near the point of the hylum. It can be grown from suckers.
Plants grow slowly.
Its other names
Local names
Palem aren mini