Scientific name: Areca catechu L.

Family: Arecaceae

Bengali/Vernacular name: Supari, Gua (Bengali); Shuari (Noakhali).

Tribal name: Subari (Chakma), Kowaingce (Chak), Kusi (Khumi), Kuba-rah (Lushai), Fok-ui (Murang), Panthong (Pangkhoa), Kuachibaowng (Rakhaing).

English name: Betel nut, Areca nut palm, Areca palm.

Description of the plant: A solitary, erect, cylindrical, tall palm, 12-30 m tall. Leaves pinnatisect, 10-15 per tree, 2-3 m long, up to 90 cm broad, arching, deep green, leaflets up to 100 per blade, 30-60 cm long by 6 cm wide, nerves prominent. Spathe double, compressed, spadix much branched, bearing male and female flowers. Fruit an olive-shaped berry with soft and fibrous covering, globose or ovoid, yellow or orange colour when riped.

Areca catechu

Plant parts used: Root.

Medicinal uses: Fresh juice is extracted from roots of the plant is taken for the treatment of diarrhoea.

Decoction of root is taken for sore lips and it is also used to treat roundworm infestation.

Distribution: It is cultivated all over the country, particularly in coastal belts.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes,  please tell us….

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