Areca triandra

Areca (ah-REHK-ah) triandra (try-AHN-drah)
COSTA RICA: Turrialba, November, 1975.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Areca (ah-REHK-ah) Species: triandra (try-AHN-drah)
Synonyms
Areca borneensis, Areca laxa, Ptychosperma polystachyum.
Native Continent
Asia
Morphology
Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Wild Areca Palm, Triandra Palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Areca triandra is found in Andaman Is., Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo,

Selampit, Lundu, Sarawak, Malaysia. Photo by Dr. John Dransfield, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.

Cambodia, China South-Central, China Southeast, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Panamá, Philippines, Sumatera, Thailand, and Vietnam. In their habitat in Dong Nai province Vietnam, they can be found near small streams, enjoying the high humidity. Low Level Rainforests.

Description

Physical Characteristics, Height:Up to 5 m (16 ft) Spread:Up to 2.7 m (9 ft) Growth Habit:Clumping, Growth Rate: Fast, Trunk Type:Green Crownshaft, Green Prominently Ringed, Trunk Diameter:Up to 50 mm (2") Leaf Type:Pinnate, Leaf Size: Up to 2 m (6 ft) Leaf Color:Dark Green, Petiole:Unarmed, Self Cleaning:Yes, Inflorescence Color:Yellow, Reproduction:Monoecious, Fruit Description:Up to 25 mm (1") Ovoid, Fruit Color:Orange/Red. Editing by edric.

Culture

Cultural Requirements, Light:Partial Shade, Heavy Shade Soil:Consistently Moist, Well Draining, Maintain Moisture, Min. Temp:-1°C (30°F) Tolerances:High Humidity, Low Light. Clumping Species, Germination:1-3 Months,30-35°C (86-95°F)

This palm does well when potted as far north as Jacksonville, Florida and can be moved safely into a greenhouse during the winter months.

Comments and Curiosities

Native Uses:- Animal feed, Also As A Stimulant, When this palm is flowering, it has a very noticable lemon fragrance.

Origin:- India and throughout South-East Asia

Areca triandra: - Conservation Status:- Not endangered

Sun Requirements:- Partial shade to shade

Water Requirements:- high

Minimum Temperature:- eported to be -3 Degrees Centigrade

Overall Height:- 10 - 15 feet

Spread:- 6 - 9 feet

Trunk:- Clustering, 2-3 inches in diameter, grey, texture is smooth and ringed

Crownshaft:- Yes

Leaf:- Pinnate, up to 5 feet long, dark green

Flowers:- Pale yellow with green stalks, formed below the crownshaft

Fruit:- Half an inch in diameter, oval with one flattened end and orange when ripe

Sex:- Monoecious, male and female flowers occur on same plant

Pests & Diseases:- Spider mites, root rot

Seed Germination:- Very easy, up to 1 month, when fresh

← Back to Palm Tree Guide