Arenga engleri

Arenga engleri, or the Formosa palm, Taiwan sugar palm, dwarf sugar palm, or Taiwan arenga palm, is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae. The plant rarely grows more than 10 ft. tall, with a stem diameter of 6in. and a spread of 16 ft. The palm is native to Taiwan as well as Japan's Ryukyu Islands. The fruit of the palm is known to cause a severe allergic reaction.^[1]

Arenga engleri
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Arecales
Family:	Arecaceae
Genus:	Arenga
Species:	A. engleri
Binomial name
Arenga engleri Becc.

Inflorescence. A. engleri is monoecious but the female and male flowers grow on different peduncles

Description

Arenga engleri, is a striking tropical species admired for its ornamental appeal. This clustering palm features multiple stems enveloped in fine black fibers, adding to its distinctive appearance.

Its lush, arching leaves have a characteristic fishtail shape. The deep green, pinnate leaflets often exhibit a gentle twist, creating a slightly spiraled effect. Each leaflet emerges from a thornless midrib, displaying a dark-green to olive hue on the upper surface and a silvery sheen underneath. Notably, the leaflets have a unique induplicate cross-section and are arranged in a single plane along the stem.

Among the foliage, the palm produces spikelike inflorescences containing both male and female flowers, allowing for self-pollination. These blossoms, available in shades of red, orange, or green, emit a pleasant fragrance. The plant eventually bears small, spherical fruits that mature to a deep red or purple color, each containing one to three seeds.^[2]

Gallery

• 
  Female flower bud.
• 
  Male flower bud.
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  Bracts are covered with fibers.
• 
  Bracts (Buds are edible).
• 
  Wilted flowers remain on the stem.
• 
  Ripe fruits are black in color and edible.
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  Leaflets with serrated margin.
• 
  The fiber can be used to make brooms and brushes.