Areca
Areca
Areca (/əˈriːkə/), also known as the betel palm or betel nut tree, is a genus of about 50 species of palms in the family Arecaceae. The name Areca is derived from a name used locally on the Malabar Coast of India.
Etymology
The term "Areca" originated from the Kannada word aḍike (ಅಡಿಕೆ) and was transcribed by the Portuguese as areca. The word aḍike is used in the sense of betel leaf in the Kannada language.
Description
Areca palms are medium to large in size, with pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered stems. The fruit is a drupe, often referred to as a "betel nut", and is the primary ingredient in the cultural practice of betel chewing.
Uses
The most significant use of Areca is the extraction of the Arecoline alkaloid from the nut (the "betel nut"). This substance is chewed along with the betel leaf and lime by millions of people, primarily in Asia. It is also used in traditional medicine for its anthelmintic (worm-expelling) properties.
Related Terms
- Arecaceae: The palm family, to which the Areca genus belongs.
- Arecoline: The primary active ingredient in the Areca nut.
- Betel chewing: A cultural practice involving the chewing of Areca nut and betel leaf.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Areca
- Wikipedia's article - Areca
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