Manila Palm, Chinese betel nut
Adonidia merrillii

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm resembling the betel nut palm but not as tall. It is a solitary palm but often planted in twos. The trunk is slim and single. It often tapers. It can be 5-7 m high. The leaves are strongly arched. They are feather shaped. They are dull green above and whitish below. They curl in on each other. The leaf scars are clearly visible. The crown shaft is prominent and green. The fruiting stalk is about 40-50 cm long. The flower cluster differs from betel nut. The flowers are greenish-white. The bright crimson fruit are on whitish fruit stalks and with ornamental sheaths. The fruit are about 3 cm long and occur in large numbers below the crown shaft.

There are 20 Adonidia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. Abundant in limestone formations in Palawan and the Calamianes Islands (Coron) in the Philippines. It will not tolerate frost. Plants are cold sensitive. They will grow easily in a sunny position. They are usually in coastal areas. In Townsville palmetum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Belize, Central America, Comoros, Cook Is., Dominican Republic, East Africa, Fiji, Guam, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Leeward Is., Marquesas, North America, Pacific, Philippines (country/location of origin), Puerto Rica, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobago, USA, Winward Is.

How it is used for food

The bud is eaten raw or cooked. The nut is chewed instead of betelnut.

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds, palm heart, cabbage

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Fresh seeds germinate readily.

Seedling growth is rapid.

Its other names

Local names

Adonidia palm, Bunga, Bungang Jolo, Christmas palm, Dwarf royal palm, Maak nuan, Merrill's palm, Oringoring, Palem putri

Synonyms

Actinorhytis calapparia Vidal; Normanbya merrillii Becc,; Veitchia merrillii (Becc.) H. E. Moore;