Areca catechu (Betel Nut) Guide

Names

Family

Arecaceae

Botanical Name

Areca catechu

Synonym(s)

Areca cathecu

English Name(s)

Betel Nut, Betel Nut Tree, Betel Tree, Betel Palm,

Chinese Name(s)

Âb·}

Description

Size & Growth Habit

Betel nut trees can grow to about 30 meters in height. These trees have a single stem typical of plamy trees. As the tree grows the lower fronds fall off, giving the tree a segmented look.

Leaves

The fronds are fairly large (up to 2 meters) and curve inward with age. They are a medium-dark shade of green (unless sick). The leaves are usually conected at the base.

Flowers

Betel nut trees are unisexual and often are pollinated just by the wind. There are both staminate and pistillate flowers on the same inflorescence. Flowers are a white to creamy yellow colour.

Stems

Roots

Flowers

Fruit/Seed Pods

Seeds

Cultivars & Hybrids

There is a fair bit of selective breeding done with these, usually locally. People are breeding these for more nuts per season, earlier or later flowering times, hardier etc.

Cultivation

By Seed

When seeds are fully mature and ripe (yellow) they may be picked. They drop on their own to the ground, and this is probably the easiest and best method of seed collection for cultivation purposes. You may plant the seeds fresh or dry them first. Store bought seeds will almost surely be dried. They will stay viable for at least a year in our experience so fresh seeds are not required. PLants seeds half buried or just under the surface of a very loose soil mix and keep moist at all times. Keep the temperature up around 20C or more and give them good light (outdoors is best). Germination takes anywhere from 2 weeks to a few months; we have even seen seeds germinate after 1 year, but this is not normal.

By Cutting

This specie is not cultivated by cutting, but may be possible to propagate by grafting.

If cut, the plant will not regenerate and will simply die.

Soil

Areca catechu trees grow large and have good sized roots. Containers are ok for the first few years, but after that they need to go into the ground. Soils that are somewhat heavy and well drained are best. Soils that are too loose and light won't support the full grown tree and they may eventually fall over. Soils that are too heavy will remain water logged and be problematic. You want the soil to retain moisture well, but not stay soggy and have a good weight to it to support the tall skinny tree..

Water

Overwatering and underwatering are usually ok for short periods but prolongued periods of being wet or dry will start to show in the leaves. These trees grow in tropical areas that experience typhoons, which means they can take some serious rain! When planted in the ground, they send roots down to collect water further down; so they take a while before they start to "feel" lack of water.

In containers, watering them once the very surface dries is a good guideline but may need to be adjusted to your local climate.

Feeding

In a farm situation, feeding with a slow release fertilizer is often done bi-annually. Container plants may be fed a week liquid fertilizer monthly or bi-monthly in the growing season as needed.

Light

These trees are a little sensitive when young and may get burnt by strong full sun. Often times people plant banana trees or other fast growing trees alongside them to provide shade until the betel nut trees are larger. Once a few feet tall, they will be fine in full sun. These plants do poorly under artificial lighting and will probably only survive indoors if placed under high output HID type lights.

Pruning

Betel trees do not require pruning.

Climate

Areca catechu are best suited for tropical and sub-tropical climates. Hot, wet and humid are excellent! They will probably survive in the warmer states of USA such as Florida, Alabama, Southern California etc. They do not take frost well and may die from it even if breif. Temperatures of 20C or higher are best, but they grow well in places that get down to 5C in the coldest days/nights of winter.

Other

Other

Human Uses

Betel nuts are chewed by millions of people for their stimulating effects. One could call them the "chewing tobacco of SE Asia".

In many places in Asia the betel nuts is harvested fairly immature, around 2-3 cm long, and wrapped inside an betle leaf (Piper betle) that has a lime paste on it. This "betel quid" is then chewed for 1-2 hours for a very stimulating feeling without nausea. People report feeling a little sick when teh betel quids' juices are swallowed, so people are sure to spit out excess saliva rather than swallow.

In other countries, such as India, the nuts are picked and dried and the inner nut (seed) is sliced/crushed and mixed with other flavouring herbs for a chew. Betel nuts dry very hard, so this method is often not preferred by those who have the choice between fresh and dried betel nuts.

Due to the chemicals in the Betel nut, they will turn your mouth a deep red-orange colour. Excessive use of this nut will severely damage and stain your teeth beyond repair.

Chemicals/Activities

Links

Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases

Pictures