Areca catechu (Betel Nut Palm)

Native to the Philippines, this slender, solitary palm grows in wet tropical regions and is widely cultivated beyond its native range. Its ringed trunk supports a green crownshaft and arching, feather-like fronds. Branched clusters of creamy flowers appear below the crownshaft, with female flowers near the branch bases and male flowers farther out. The fibrous fruits ripen from yellow to orange or red, each enclosing a single seed. Those seeds are commonly known as areca nuts or betel nuts and are widely chewed for their mild stimulant effects. Chewing areca nut causes cancer, including when used without tobacco. Photographed in Colombia.