Areca catechu is a species of palm native to the Philippines. It was later introduced to much of tropical South and Southeast Asia, South-central China and Taiwan, West Africa and Madagascar, some of the Pacific Islands, and the West Indies. It is widely cultivated for its seeds, which are used in along with betel leaves and slaked lime for chewing.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
Considered toxic. Public sources list it as such; we have not verified this individually. The nut contains arecaidine and arecoline, alkaloids which are related to nicotine and similarly addictive. Chewing it causes a mild high, some stimulation, and much red saliva, which can cause nausea if swallowed.… Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Liliopsida
- Order
- Arecales
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Genus
- Areca
- Species
- Areca catechu
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo