What Category is the Areca Nut in? A Botanical Breakdown
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3 min read
The areca nut, popularly known as betel nut, is the seed of the fruit from the areca palm tree, *Areca catechu*, which is indigenous to tropical parts of Asia and East Africa. Scientifically, despite its common name, it is not a true nut, but rather the seed of a fruit classified as a berry or drupe. This botanical distinction clarifies its categorization within the plant kingdom, placing it firmly in the palm family, Arecaceae.
