Areca
(Areec is its name in Malabar, when an old tree). The Cabbage Palm. ORD. Palmae. This genus is now broken up into several, and many species formerly here arranged are now found under Acanthophoenix, Euterpe, Hyophorbe, Kentia, Oncosperma, Phoenicophorum. Very ornamental and graceful stove Palms, with a branching spadix, and double spathe, which incloses the flowers. Flowers unisexual, borne upon the same spike; female flowers having six rudimentary stamens, and male flowers a six-cleft perianth. Fruit one-seeded. They thrive in a compost of loam, peat, and leaf soil, in equal parts, with a liberal addition of sand; but when they are fully grown, loam should preponderate to the extent of about two-thirds, and some rotten cow-manure may be added. Propagated from seeds, which should be sown in a compost similar to above, and placed in a moist gentle heat. They are employed, when young, with much success for the decoration of drawing rooms and dinner tables. A. Aliciae (Princess Alice's). l. pinnatisect; segments sessile. North