Common Name:

General Information

Arenga westerhoutii is a single-stemmed, evergreen palm growing up to 12 metres tall. The unbranched stem can be 40cm in diameter, crowned by a rosette of around 6 - 12 leaves[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. 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

East Asia - southern China, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia.

Habitat

Primary rainforest, only rarely in secondary growth areas, at elevations up to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The tree does not flower until it is 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[, ]. Solitary-stemmed species, such as this one, die after flowering[].

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 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 iplant, since it is unable to produce side shoots[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The leaves are used for thatching and wickerwork[].

The wood is used to make small utensils, or is even used in construction, but it is said not to be durable[].

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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