Dwarf Sugar Palm


Scientific Name: Arenga engleri Becc.
Arenga engleri
Size: Up to 10 feet tall (3 m)
Min. Temperature: 23°F (-5°C)
Water Requirements: Regular water
Sun Requirements: Light shade
Origin: Taiwan, India
Leaf: Pinnate, 7 to 9 leaves with green top, silvery bottom narrow wedge shaped leaflets. Edges and tips are irregular. Leaves are tomentose, 7 to 8 feet long (2 to 2.5 m).
Trunk: Clustering covered with old black leaf fibers, 3 inches (7.5 cm).
Flower: The stem dies after blooming. Flower stalk coming from among the leaves.
Fruit: Dark red. 0.5 to 1 inch in diameter (1.2 to 2.5 cm). round. Up to 3 seeds per fruit..
Seed: Round, flattened on one or 2 sides.

Arengas are a group of 17 species. The flesh of Arengas (like the related Fishtail Palms) contains oxalic acid and the juice can be caustic. Don't handle it without gloves.

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