Pinanga gracilis

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A slender palm. It grows 4 m tall. The stem is 1.5 cm across. The leaves have leaflets almost divided to the midrib. The male and female flowers are separate with a female flower between two male flowers. They are in clusters. The fruit is oval with a fibrous outer covering. The fruit are yellow when ripe. They are oval and 1.8 cm long by 1 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in lowland and mountain rain forests below 1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Tibet

How it is used for food

The ripe seeds or nuts are eaten like betel nut.

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Geruka tamul, Morizya, Mumai tamul, Ram gua, Tachar, Taecher, Tar-tiang, Taw-kun

Synonyms

Areca gracilis Roxb. [Illegitimate]; Areca gracilis Buch.-Ham.; and others