| Areca | |
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| Areca catechu – 1897 illustration[2] | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Subfamily: | Arecoideae |
| Tribe: | Areceae |
| Subtribe: | Arecinae |
| Genus: | Areca L. |
| Type species | |
| Areca catechu [1] | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
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Areca is agenus of 51 species ofpalms in thefamilyArecaceae, found in humidtropical forests from the islands of thePhilippines,Malaysia andIndia, acrossSoutheast Asia toMelanesia.[1][3] The generic nameAreca is derived from a name used locally on theMalabar Coast ofIndia.
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The best-known member of the genus isA. catechu, theareca nut palm.[1][4] Several species of areca nuts, known for their bitter and tangy taste, raw or dried, are routinely used for chewing, especially in combination with the leaves ofbetel and dried leaves oftobacco. Areca nut is also popularly referred to as betel nut because of its usage for chewing withbetel leaves. In Assam, areca nut is also known astamul in the local dialect.
The Areca palm, mainly known for its Areca nuts, holds profound cultural and historical significance in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. These regions, steeped in rich traditions, have integrated Areca into various aspects of life.
(51 species)
Authority control databases: National |
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