Bing Lang

Semen Arecae (Binglang) Areca Seed Areca Seed is the dried ripe seed of Areca catechu L. (Fam. Palmae). The ripe fruit is collected from late spring to early autumn, boiled in water, dried, removed from pericarp, and the seed is collected, then dried. Description: Oblate or conical, 1.5-3.5 cm high, base 1.5-3 cm in diameter. Externally pale yellowish-brown or pale reddish-brown, with slightly dented reticulate furrow, and a rounded concave micropyle in the centre of the base, by side with an obvious scar-shaped hilum. Texture hard, uneasily broken; fracture showing marble-like striations alternated with brown testa and white endosperm. Odour, slight; taste, astringent and slightly bitter. Identification: (1) Transverse section: Outer layers of testa consisting of several rows of flattened stone cells, elongated tangentially, containing reddish-brown contents, stone cells varying in shape and size, often having intercellular space; inner layers of testa consisting of several layers