Areca novohibernica
The Areca novohibernica is a plant species native to the rainforests of the Solomon Islands and the Bismarck Archipelago in the Pacific Ocean east of New Guinea.
This is a delightful, smallish palm with a thin trunk that grows to 10 feetor more tall, and a compact crown of leaves with broad, finely tipped leaflets. It has at the base robust aerial roots which develop like stilts. The rather large, dark red fruits of this species are said to be edible and the seeds have a slightly narcotic effect and can be used like those of Areca catechu, which is chewed.
The Areca novohibernica is best suited for a protected spot in the humid, shaded tropical garden. It is also known as the Kugumaru Palm.
There are twelve of this species thriving in the Merwin Palm Forest.
Want to “virtually explore” the Merwin Palm Collection? Search through our archive of Palm Facts of the Week, featuring palms hand-planted by W.S Merwin. To search through the Online Merwin Palm Database, visit this link.
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