SCIENTIFIC NAME: Arenga tremula

COMMON NAME(S): Dwarf sugar palm
SUB FAMILY: Arecoideae
TRIBE: Caryoteae
ORIGIN: Philippines
HARDINESS ZONES: 10A-11 (damaged but recovered at 26 degrees F)
TYPICAL MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 6-12'
GROWTH RATE: Moderate
HABIT: Clustering; each stem with 8-10 leaves; each stem dies after fruiting
SALT TOLERANCE: Low
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Moderate
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Widely adaptable
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Moderate, high
NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS: Moderate
POPULAR USES: Shrub, screen, specimen plant
HUMAN HAZARDS: Irritant
POPULAR OR RECOMMENDED CULTIVARS: None

COMMENTS: Arenga tremula and the related A. engleri are hardier and much more useful as landscape plants than the economically important A. pinnata. Though the individual stems die after fruiting, new stems continue to arise from the base. Both are clustering and low-growing, and can be utilized as screening plants. The fruits of all Arenga species contain high concentrations of irritating calcium oxalate crystals. Other species: A. engleri (Taiwan) is probably the hardiest species in the genus (to Zone 9B). It grows slightly smaller than A. tremula, with fiber-covered stems and leaflets that are silvery on the underside. The short flower stalks are hidden among the leaves and the orange flowers are fragrant.