The vibrant Orange Crownshaft Palm (Areca vestiaria) has been putting on a spectacular show in the Tropical Biome at The Leaf! Discover what makes this stunning palm so special and how it supports its environment.
Basics: This slow-growing palm features bright orange feather-shaped leaves. In summer, it produces yellow-orange and yellow-green flowers that bloom in clusters among the foliage. While they grow more slowly, these palms can eventually reach 10-20 feet tall and 5-10 feet wide. They thrive in sunny to partly shaded locations and are surprisingly hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as -1°C.
Habitat: Native to the Moluccas Islands off the coast of eastern Indonesia, Orange Crownshaft Palms flourish in humid tropical and subtropical climates.
Supporting the Environment: Like all trees, this palm captures carbon dioxide to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases. Thanks to their growth rate and substantial size, Areca vestiaria are particularly efficient carbon capturers.
Bright and Colourful: The Orange Crownshaft Palm stands out for its striking deep orange crownshaft, the smooth, cylindrical portion at the top of the trunk. While most palms feature brown or green stems, this species brings a bold burst of colour to any landscape.
Uses: Areca vestiaria produces an ovoid fruit, which is a single-seeded, bright orange or red edible fruit. You can melt these seeds into syrups, jams, and sauces with a sweet, tropical, and tangy flavour.
Fun Facts:
- Seeds can take from 4-6 weeks to 2-3 months to grow.
- These palms naturally cluster together, creating a fuller, more dramatic appearance.
- The colour of this species varies by elevation. The most vibrant specimens grow at higher altitudes in their native range.
