Small salea palm
Hydriastele microcarpa

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary palm. It grows to 8-10 m tall. The crown-shaft is 60 cm long. It is slightly bulging at the base. It has a spreading crown of long fronds. The leaves are 2-2.6 m long. The leaflets are broad and notched at the tips. They have thickened edges. The leaflets are irregularly arranged along the stalk. The central ones are clustered and the ends ones are evenly spaced. The fruit are small and red.

There are 14 (33?) Gronophyllum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical regions. It grows in shady forests. It grows up to 1,000 m above sea level. In Townsville palmetum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Indonesia, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The fruit are used as a substitute for betel nut.

Edible parts

Nuts - masticatory

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds and suckers.

Its other names

Local names

Pinang salea kecil

Synonyms

Gronophyllum microcarpum Scheff.;