| A genus with 60 pinnate-leaved, monoecious palms from Southeast Asia, Australia,
India, Indonesia, New Guinea, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands. Palms of this genus are usually solitary trunked, medium
in height and can have prominent, vibrantly colored crown shafts. Seeds on these palms are commonly used like that of the
popular Betel Nut Palm. |
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1. A. catechu (Betel Nut Palm)
Height: can attain 100 ft. but usually less than 50 ft. in cultivation
Size of Crown: up to 12 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: Immortalized by Bloody
Mary in the musical “South Pacific,” this palm seems to thrive in partial shade to full sun with moist, but well-drained
conditions. It is only slightly tolerant to salt spray. The Betel Nut Palm has spread throughout tropical Asia and the Pacific
where it is cultivated for the endosperm of the seed. When chewed with the leaves of the pepper vine and ground lime, a narcotic
stimulant is released. The dark green trunk and prominent rings from leaf base scars make it a desirable palm in the landscape
but we wouldn’t advise planting it in public view or close to the street or you’ll never enjoy the red fruit! |
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1. A. catechu 'Alba' is a form of the Betel Nut Palm with a gorgeous yellow crownshaft. The distinct coloration is
present from the very first leaf of the seedling. |
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2. A. guppyana
Height: 10 feet
Size of crown: 6 feet with usually 6 or less leaves |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: Found naturally in the
Lower elevations of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, this palm is considered sacred to Solomon Islanders. It grows best
in moist humus-laden soils with protection from the sun and wind. Small stature, prominent stilted roots, and deeply pleated
leaflets are some of its major characteristics. |
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3. A. triandra
Height: up to 30 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: This clumping palm can
be found in low, wet areas in eastern India. Similar in appearance to A. catechu but with thinner clustering trunks,
A. triandra grows best in shade with adequate moisture (it will not tolerate the low elevation full Kona sun). These palms
can have up to a dozen trunks per plant. |
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4. A. vestiaria (Sunset Palm)
Height: up to 20-25 feet
Size of crown: clumping width of 15 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: A beautiful clumping
or solitary palm notable for its reddish-orange trunks, stilt roots and slender crownshaft. It can be very eye-catching in the
landscape. A. vestiaria grows well in partial shade, with adequate moisture, and rich, slightly acidic soils and can be
successfully trained to full Kona sun. We offer two types of Sunset Palms; the green and the red. The red form has deep red
emerging leaves and a reddish orange crownshaft and needs a little more sun protection than the green. The green form has orange
crownshafts and greener leaves. Both forms can be solitary or clumping and both forms develop stilt roots. |
