Arecaceae (Areca)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Areca (catechu)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Arecaceae

Family Common Name:
Palm

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Areca

Species:
catechu

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:
Linnaeus

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

Common Synonym:

Genus:

Species:

Synonym Classification:

Synonym SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Synonym SubAuthority:

Other Information:

Common Name:
betel nut palm, areca, areca-nut; pugua (Guam), poc (Pohnpei), pu (Truk), bu (Yap), bua (Palau), buai (New Ireland: Kuanua), buei (New Ireland: Pala), vua (New Ireland: Lamekot). Several of the common names in the Pacific are derived from the pidgin buai.

Species Code:

Ecotype:
Prefers hot, humid tropical with uniform rainfall, elevations 0 - 900 m.

General Distribution:
Betel nut palm is native to East Africa, Madagascar, Arabian Peninsula, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, southern China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Micronesia (Guam, Palau, Pohnpei, Truk, Yap), Vanuatu. Dispersal by humans to other areas of the Pacific and elsewhere has played a role in the naturalization of the species outside its range.

Known Invasiveness:
This species is widely introduced throughout other tropical regions of the world where it may be invasive in some areas and invasiveness outside its naturally occurring range is unknown.

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:

Grow Time:
12 Months

Target Specifications:
Seedlings have reached target size when they have 5 - 7 leaves and are about 20 - 30 cm tall.

Propagation Collection:
Ripe fruits are available year-round. Collecting freshly fallen fruits from the ground is the most practical method. Betel nut palms are only known to be found in cultivation.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:
Fresh seeds should be used, which usually have a high germination of about 90%.

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:
Removal of the outer husk is not necessary to achieve good results. Air drying the seeds for 1-2 days in the sun or 3 - 7 days in the shade is done, though not necessary.

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Seedlings are grown in partial shade. Hot, humid conditions speed germination and growth.

Establishment Phase:
Seeds are pregerminated in beds. Prepare beds of loose, organically rich potting medium, such as a 1:1 mix of peat moss and perlite or vermiculite. Lay the betel nut seeds on their sides and bury about 2/3 of the way, leaving one third above the potting medium. A loose mulch of finely sifted black cinder or granite chips can be used to help conserve moisture and protect the medium from driving rain if exposed to the elements. Germination takes about 3 months. Bottom heat will help speed germination. Late germinating or weak seedlings should be discarded, as these tend to produce less vigorous plants.

Length of Establishment Phase:
4 months

Active Growth Phase:
Transplant germinants to individual containers after the leaves begin to appear. One gallon root training containers are suitable. Amending monthly with additional fertilizer such as a light top dressing of Gro-More 8-8-8 will aid in growth and development. Weeds should be prevented from entering the growth area to avoid competition for light an nutrients.

Length of Active Growth Phase:
8 months

Hardening Phase:
If the seedlings are not already growing in full sun, move them into a sunny area, spacing seedlings out further if necessary. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, but watering frequency may be reduced to introduce seedlings to temporary, moderate water stress.

Length of Hardening Phase:
1 month

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:
When the plants have reached target size, they may be delivered to the planting site. They are not extracted from their container or stored before shipping. Keeping plants in their container is necessary to protect the roots.

Length of Storage:

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:
Although betel nut has important cultural uses throughout the Pacific, heavy use is associated with serious diseases particularly of the mouth.

References:
Jones, D. 1944. Palms in Australia. Reed Books, Balgowlah, NSW, Australia.

Marcus, J. and K. Banks. 1999. A Practical Guide to Germinating Palm Seeds. Principes Vol. 43, No. 2

Staples, G. [in publication for 2003]. Species Profile for Areca catechu. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, HI.

Thaman, R.R., C.R. Elevitch and K.M. Wilkinson. 2000. "Multipurpose Trees for Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands. In: Elevitch, C.R. and K.M. Wilkinson. 2000. Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, HI. web: http://www.agroforestry.net

Uhl, N.W. and J. Dransfield. 1987. Genara Palmarum. The L.H. Bailey Hortorium and The International Palm Society. Allen Press, Lawrence, Kansas.

Citation:
Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2004. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Areca catechu Linnaeus plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/03/14). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

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