Palm - Arenga engleri

Arenga engleri, or the Taiwan sugar palm, is a small palm that radiates tropical beauty. It can reach 3-4 metres in height with basal clusters spreading for over 2.5-3 metres. Its culms (stems) are covered in dark fibres reminiscent of Tasmanian tree ferns. Its red, orange, and green flowers are sweet smelling and produce red to deep purple fruits. Each globular fruit is less than 2.5 cm in diameter and contains one to three seeds. It thrives in rich, moist and slightly acidic soils, and partial to full shade. It does not tolerate direct light, cold winds or marine aerosol (sea water mist generated by wave motion or poor weather). It must be protected from frost.