Betel Nut/ Supari
This is the palm produces to popular betel-nut or supari, which is an essential ingradient of paan. It is a medium-sized tree growing to 20 m tall, with a trunk 20-30 cm in diameter. The leaves are 1.5-2 m long, pinnate, with numerous, crowded leaflets. It is grown for its economically important seed crop, the Betel nut. It is commercially available in dried, cured, and fresh forms. When the husk of the fresh fruit is green, the nut inside is soft enough to be cut with a typical knife. In the ripe fruit, the husk becomes yellow or orange, and as it dries, the fruit inside hardens to a wood-like consistency. At that stage, the areca nut can only be sliced using a special scissors-like cutter.
Common name : Betel Nut
Scientific name : Areca catechu
Family: Arecaceae
Fruit colour : Green, yellow or orange
Height : 20 m
Temperature : 14-36 deg. c
Soil : moist and well drained
Light: Full sun/half sun
Water: twice/thrice a week
Planting & Caring
It can be propagated by both seeding and cutting. if propagate it from cuttings, take about 18 cm long stem. Make 45 degrees cut using a sharp knife just below the leaf node. Remove all leaves from the cutting except top 2 leaves. Put the cutting in a glass of fresh water and place it on a spot like a windowsill in indirect sunlight. Keep changing the water every 2 days. Once several roots appear, transplant it into a deep container or in the ground.
It prefers slightly acidic, sandy-loamy and lightly damp soil but not waterlogged. Use the well-drained potting mix to plant it in a way that water will drain out from it quickly. Pick a less windy spot with partial shade for planting. Choose a medium sized deep planter, for growing in the container.
Uses
This is the palm produces to popular betel-nut or supari, which is an essential ingradient of paan. It is a medium-sized tree growing to 20 m tall, with a trunk 20-30 cm in diameter. The leaves are 1.5-2 m long, pinnate, with numerous, crowded leaflets. It is grown for its economically important seed crop, the Betel nut. It is commercially available in dried, cured, and fresh forms. When the husk of the fresh fruit is green, the nut inside is soft enough to be cut with a typical knife. In the ripe fruit, the husk becomes yellow or orange, and as it dries, the fruit inside hardens to a wood-like consistency. At that stage, the areca nut can only be sliced using a special scissors-like cutter.
Common name : Betel Nut
Scientific name : Areca catechu
Family: Arecaceae
Fruit colour : Green, yellow or orange
Height : 20 m
Temperature : 14-36 deg. c
Soil : moist and well drained
Light: Full sun/half sun
Water: twice/thrice a week
Planting & Caring
It can be propagated by both seeding and cutting. if propagate it from cuttings, take about 18 cm long stem. Make 45 degrees cut using a sharp knife just below the leaf node. Remove all leaves from the cutting except top 2 leaves. Put the cutting in a glass of fresh water and place it on a spot like a windowsill in indirect sunlight. Keep changing the water every 2 days. Once several roots appear, transplant it into a deep container or in the ground.
It prefers slightly acidic, sandy-loamy and lightly damp soil but not waterlogged. Use the well-drained potting mix to plant it in a way that water will drain out from it quickly. Pick a less windy spot with partial shade for planting. Choose a medium sized deep planter, for growing in the container.
Uses
- The seed contains alkaloids such as arecaidine and arecoline, which, when chewed, are intoxicating and slightly addictive.
- In Asian countries, betel nut is used in a manner similar to the western use of tobacco or caffeine.
- In the metabolic system as a digestive and carminative Anti-diabetic.
- Used as aphrodisiac.
- Improves eyesight.
- Helps in relieving asthma.
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