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Arenga westerhoutii
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Common Name: | Langkap, Westerhout's Sugar Palm |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Habit) |
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Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southeast Asia |
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| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | This palm is one of the largest species in the genus. The trunks can grow to 18 m tall and up to 60 cm wide. |
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| Foliage | The leaves are 4.5 m – 6 m long, and twist slightly as they grow from the trunk. Leaflets (90 cm long) are narrowly lanceolate and regularly spaced. They are bright green above (sometimes with a tinge of blue green) and silvery green underneath. The fibers is found on the younger leaf base, which is long and sharp, making it spiny. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence (60 cm long) emerge from the leaf base and is mostly hidden by the foliage. Flowers are small and red. |
| Fruit | Fruits are round (13 mm diameter) and black. |
| Habitat | Found on limestone forest. |
| Etymology | The species epithet honors J.B Westerhout, a 19th century Dutch assistant to the British resident councillor in the Malaysian state of Malacca and superintendent to the province of Naning. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
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| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Shape(s) | Palm Fronds (Pinnate / Feather) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Palm - Cluster) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Solitary Habit, Aboveground |
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Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
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| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
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References
| References | Riffle, R.L., Craft, P. & Zona, S. . 2012. The Encyclopedia of cultivated palms. London: Timber Press. 517 |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1301 |
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| Species ID | 2594 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
