Common Name:

General Information

Arenga microcarpa is an evergreen, clustering palm usually growing 4 - 8 metres tall but exceptionally to 14 metres. The unbranched stems can be 12cm in diameter, crowned by a rosette of 5 - 10 leaves[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as food and a source of materials. It is sometimes cultivated locally within its range for the production of starch[]. All species in this genus have either recognized or potential ornamental value[].

Known Hazards

The fruits of most species in this genus are poisonous and are sometimes used criminally[].
The fleshy mesocarp of the fruits usually contains many oxalate crystals, making the flesh inedible[].

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Indonesia to New Guinea and northern Australia.

Habitat

Primary rainforest, only rarely in secondary growth areas, at elevations up to 700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Individual stems do not flower until they are mature. A flowering shoot is produced from each node on the stem, commencing with the node at the top of the plant and working down to the base. Vegetative growth ceases when the first flowering shoot is produced, and the stem dies once flowers have been produced from the basal node[, ]. Multi-stemmed species, such as this one, usually produce new stems and so the plant does not die when individual stems die[].

Edible Uses

The taller Arenga palms store large quantities of starch in their stem that are later converted into sugar to be translocated to the inflorescences. The sugar can be drawn off in the juice by tapping the peduncle and rachis of the male inflorescence. By far the most important sugar producer in the genus is Arenga pinnata, but other species are used similarly. The starch of the stem can also be harvested. The starch in the stems of this species, for instance, is used in North Sulawesi to bake cookies that are known as 'bagea'[].

The apical bud (known as a 'palm heart') of all the species in this genus is edible and is used as a vegetable. However, consuming large quantities of the buds is not advised since, in some species (especially Arenga tremula) they can provoke toxic effects[]. Harvesting the apical bud also leads to the death of the individual stem, since it is unable to produce side shoots[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The leaves are used for thatching and wickerwork[].

Propagation

Seed - a deep root is formed before the seedling emerges above soil level, and so the seed should be sown in individual, deep containers. Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water before sowing. It can take 3 - 6 months or more before signs of growth are seen above soil level[].

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