Areca nut palm - Areca catechu

Description and Uses

Areca catechu (Areca nut palm) is a tropical palm from Malaysia & Indonesia. It is mainly grown for its ornamental crops (medium shelflife), The crop is harvested by ground gathering. After 40 years the palm can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Areca catechu has a lifespan of 60 years.

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Environmental limitations

The palm is 27 meters tall. It is medium growing and tolerates not less light than shade tolerant. Areca catechu has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The palm`s flower-morphology is monoecious and is pollinated by .

Areca catechu thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1000 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 0°C and optimally between 14 - 36°C. The optimal rainfall is 3000 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 750 - 4500 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 5.0 - 7.0 in a soil texture of loam.

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Pests and Diseases

and diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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