About Areca catechu L.
Areca catechu, the areca palm, is a medium-sized palm tree that grows straight to 20 m (66 ft) tall, with a trunk 10–15 cm (4–6 in) in diameter. Its leaves are 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft) long, pinnate, and bear numerous crowded leaflets. This palm is also used as an interior landscaping species, most often in large indoor spaces like malls and hotels. When grown indoors, it does not fruit or reach its full mature size, and is a slow-growing plant that requires low water and high light, while being sensitive to spider mites and occasionally affected by mealybugs. In India, dried fallen leaves of Areca catechu are collected and hot-pressed to make disposable palm leaf plates and bowls.
