Characteristics

Botanical name: The plant is Areca catechu, a species of palm.

Common uses: It is most commonly chewed with betel leaves, a practice with a long history in South and Southeast Asia. The nut is dried and sold, sometimes also with other ingredients like tobacco.

Geographic distribution: It is native to the Philippines but has been spread through migration and trade to large parts of the tropical Pacific, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of East Africa. India is the world's largest producer of areca nuts.

Cultural significance: It has cultural and economic importance in countries like India, China, and various parts of Southeast Asia.

Health considerations: Areca nut chewing is associated with health risks, especially when combined with tobacco, which can raise the risk of fatal stroke and coronary artery disease.