View source for Areca catechu

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Areca catechu''
| image = Beetle_palm_with_nut_bunch.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Fruiting specimen
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Arecales]]
| familia = [[Arecaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Areca]]''
| species = '''''A. catechu'''''
| binomial = ''Areca catechu''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

'''''Areca catechu''''', known commonly as '''Betel palm''' or '''Betel nut tree''' or '''Pinang''' is a species of [[Arecaceae|palm]] which grows in much of the tropical [[Pacific]], [[Asia]], and parts of east [[Africa]]. It is a medium-sized [[tree]] growing to 20 m tall, with a trunk 20-30 cm in diameter. The [[leaf|leaves]] are 1.5-2 m long, pinnate, with numerous, crowded leaflets. 

[[Image:Koeh-014.jpg|thumb|left|19th century drawing of ''Areca catechu'']]
''Areca catechu'' is grown for its economically important seed crop, the [[Betel nut]]. The seed contains [[alkaloid]]s such as [[arecaine]] and [[arecoline]], which when chewed is intoxicating and is also slightly addictive. Areca palms are grown in [[India]], [[Malaysia]], [[Taiwan]] and many other Asian countries for their seeds. 

[[Penang]] Island, off the west coast of [[Peninsular Malaysia]], is named after ''pinang'', a local name for betel nut.

The Areca palm is also used as an interior landscaping species. It is often used in large indoor areas such as malls and hotels. It won't fruit or reach full size. Indoors it is a slow growing, low water, high light plant that is sensitive to spider mite and occasionaly mealy bug. 

== External links ==
[[Image:Areca_catechu_Forest.JPG|thumb|160px|left|The ''Areca catechu'' forest in [[Taiwan]]]]
* [http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/plants/betelnut_landing.html Plant Cultures: Betelnut botany and history]
* [http://www.goldenagro.com/image/betelnut/index.htm Photos of The fruit of ''Areca catechu'']
{{commonscat|Areca catechu}}

[[Category:Palms]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
{{palm-stub}}