Lowland betel nut palm
Areca whitfordii
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A solitary palm. It grows 10 m tall. The trunks are 15 cm across. The leaves are 2.5 m long and have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves spread upwards. The leaf sheath is yellowish green. The leaflets are arranged regularly. The flowering stalk comes from among the leaves. It is 15-25 cm long. The fruit are oval and red.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in moist tropical lowland rainforest and up to 400 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Indonesia, Philippines (country/location of origin), SE Asia
How it is used for food
The seeds are chewed as a substitute for betel nut.
Edible parts
Seeds - masticatory
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Palem sirih dataran rendah