Common Name: Sunset Palm.

Areca vestiaria is a somewhat variable species originating from rainforest areas of Sulawesi and Maluku Islands in tropical southeast Asia. The slender trunks, which can grow up to 9m (30ft) in habitat, can be solitary or clumping green to brown in colour with prominent rings. The crownshaft is usually orange, but can be anywhere from green to fairly dark red and any shade in between. Generally the more vivid colours are exhibited by plants growing at higher altitude. The crownshaft colour also extends along the petiole and rachis and creates an attractive contrast to the dark green pinnate leaves. Given the right conditions Areca vestiaria will also produce stilt roots, which can be a deep red colour and can reach anywhere up to 2m (6') above ground level. The red form produces a dark red to maroon crownshaft and also exhibits a similar dark red hue on emergent leaves. Becoming more popular in cultivation, this species is most at home in the tropics or subtropics, but has shown surprising cold tolerance, even handling very short, light freezes. It also makes a stunning pot plant and will live quite happily indoors, in a brightly lit area, providing the humidity is maintained at a teasonable level.