Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Arenga westerhoutii Griff. (ARECACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Sugar Palm, Langkap

Description

Very similar habit as in Arenga pinnata, the main differences between the two among others are in the leaflet arrangements and the fruits. The leaflets of A. westerhoutii are arranged more or less evenly along the rachis and on a single plane; the fruits are rounded.

Ecology

Predominantly wild in the hill slopes of lowland forests and base of limestone hills.

Distribution

North-eastern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and adjacent southern China.

Uses

It is also a source of palm sugar, syrup and alcoholic beverages. The immature endosperms are also eaten as dessert. In Thailand, the collection of the immature endosperms is a small cottage industry.