Solitary Sugar Palm

Arenga pinnata

Physical Characteristics

Arenga pinnata is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - probably India and Malaysia.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Sap Seed Edible Uses: Drink Sweetener A drink and sugar are made from the sweet sap obtained from the flowering stems[ 297 , 303 ]. It is obtained by beating and bruising the developing inflorescence, which is then cut and a juice is obtained from the cut end over a period[ 297 ]. Leaves - cooked[ 297 , 763 ]. The appical bud, known as a 'palm heart' is sometimes used for food[ 297 ]. It can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable[ 303 ]. Removing this bud will result in the death of the plant, since it is unable to produce side shoots[ K ]. A sago-like flour can be ground from the trunk pith and used for cakes, noodles and other dishes[ 46 , 303 , 418 ]. A product typically made from the plant in West Java is known as kolang kaling - this is the cooked endosperm of young sugar palm fruits. One infructescence yields about 4,500 endosperms. It is used for a cocktail and local refreshment known as kolak[ 303 ].

Medicinal Uses

Roots provide medicinal products, such as a tea decoction used to cure bladder trouble[ 303 ].

Known Hazards

The fruits of most species in this genus are poisonous and are sometimes used criminally[ 310 ]. The fleshy mesocarp of the fruits usually contains many oxalate crystals, making the flesh inedible[ 310 ]. (Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling )