pinang yaki

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• red crownshaft palm

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pinanga vestiaria
• Seaforthia vestiaria
• Ptychosperma paniculatum
• Areca paniculata
• Areca langloisiana
• Ptychosperma vestiarium
• Areca leptopetala
• Areca henrici
• Mischophloeus paniculatus
• Mischophloeus vestiarius

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Areca catechu (often referred to in botanical contexts as Areca vestiaria), belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Arecales and the family Arecaceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Areca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the diverse tropical regions located within the Malesia botanical zone. Its specific geographical range includes the island of Maluku, where it thrives in suitable environmental conditions. Additionally, the species can be found distributed across Sulawesi. These locations represent key areas within its natural habitat in Southeast Asia. Consequently, its presence in these specific islands defines its localized distribution pattern.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Areca catechu (commonly referred to as Areca vestiaria) is characterized by its strategic positioning within the tropical rainforest structure, where it primarily functions within the canopy layer. As a tall, slender palm, it thrives in the filtered light and humid microclimates provided by the upper levels of the forest architecture. In terms of biological interactions, the plant exhibits a notable lack of specialized chemical or physical defense mechanisms, meaning it does not possess significant innate deterrents against herbivory. This lack of defense makes it highly susceptible to various insect pests and pathogens, requiring it to exist in a state of constant interaction with the surrounding biotic community within its humid, tropical niche.

Defense :

no

Habitat :

canopy

Life history

The life history of Areca catechu (often referred to in botanical contexts associated with the Areca genus) is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located well above the ground level. Specifically, it functions as a phanerophyte in both its primary and secondary life form classifications, indicating a perennial growth habit that maintains its reproductive structures on elevated woody stems. As a perennial monocot, its development begins with a germinating seed that establishes a robust underground root system, followed by the slow upward growth of a single, unbranched stem. This stem continues to grow vertically over many years, supporting a crown of pinnate leaves at the apex, which allows the plant to maintain its buds and growing points high above the soil surface, consistent with its phanerophyte status.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Areca catechu (syn. Areca vestiaria) is characterized by an erect shoot orientation and a growth form classified as a tree. This species functions as a self-supporting climber, meaning it does not require external support to maintain its structure. As a terrestrial plant, it is neither an epiphyte nor a parasite, existing as an independent organism within its habitat. The plant exhibits a woody texture and can reach a maximum shoot length of 1500 cm, while its diameter at breast height (DBH) reaches a maximum of 12 cm.

Climber :

self-supporting

DBH max:

12 cm

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Shoot length max:

1500 cm

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Areca catechu (commonly referred to as Areca vestiaria) is characterized by its robust vegetative growth and specific morphological adaptations that facilitate photosynthesis and nutrient transport. One of its most prominent physiological features is the development of large, pinnate leaves that maximize surface area for light interception. These leaves can reach an impressive maximum length of 222 cm, allowing the plant to efficiently capture solar energy in tropical canopy environments. In terms of leaf structure and protection, the plant exhibits a smooth leaf morphology where the presence of leaf spines is noted as "no," indicating a lack of sharp, defensive protrusions on the leaf surfaces, which may influence how the plant interacts with its immediate microclimate and surrounding vegetation. This structural arrangement, combined with its extensive root system, supports the high metabolic demands required for the continuous production of its characteristic seeds.

Leaf length max:

222 cm

Leaf spines :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Areca catechu (often referred to as Areca vestiaria) occurs through the production of drupaceous fruits that develop from the fertilized ovaries of the flowers. The morphological characteristics of these fruits are highly specific, typically exhibiting a fruit length with a mean of 2 cm and a fruit width with a mean of 1.15 cm. As the fruit reaches maturity, its pigmentation undergoes significant changes, displaying a vibrant colour profile that can include shades of orange, red, pink, blue, yellow, green, white, violet, black, grey, brown, or other variations depending on the specific cultivar and stage of ripeness. These fruits contain the seeds essential for the propagation of the species, and their dispersal and germination are critical components of the plant's life cycle.

Fruit colour :

orange

Fruit length mean:

2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.15 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Areca vestiaria has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BENZOTHIAZOLE, CINNAMIC ACID, D-glucono-delta-lactone, Diethylpyrocarbonate, Tagatose.

BENZOTHIAZOLE

1. F1000Research

CINNAMIC ACID

1. F1000Research

D-glucono-delta-lactone

1. F1000Research

Diethylpyrocarbonate

1. F1000Research

Tagatose

1. F1000Research

Trigonelline

1. F1000Research

alpha-Chlorohydrin

1. F1000Research

bis(2-ethylhexyl) amine

1. F1000Research

l-isoleucine

1. F1000Research

Activities

Areca vestiaria has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiviral.

Antiviral

1. F1000Research

Conditions

Areca vestiaria has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Covid-19.

Covid-19

1. F1000Research