Ongzi's SecretGarden: Areca catechu

Showing posts with label Areca catechu - pinang. Show all posts

Thursday, 2 June 2011

National & State Flowers of Malaysia

National flower

Malaysia – Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ( Bunga raya )

In Malaysian coat of arm, a betel nut palm ( Areca catechu ), a Melaka tree ( Phyllanthus emblica ), and a hibisus flower ( Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ) are despited on the sheild, which represents states of Pulau Pinang and Melaka. The section with hibiscus flower in the lower-middle supposely represented Singapore.

State flowers

Johor – n.a.

There is no state flower assigned to the state of Johor.

However, in Johor’s coat of arms, the mirrored flora represents gambir ( Uncaria gambir ) and black pepper ( piper nigrum ), once an important crops cultivated in Johor.

Kedah – n.a.

There is no state flower assigned to the state of Kedah.

The wreath in the Kedah’s coat of arms, is depicted as two stalks of rice ( Oryza sativa ) together, and enveloping the shield and crescent. It represents rice as the state principal product.

Kelantan – n.a.

There is no state flower assigned to the state of Kelantan.

Melaka - Vallabris Glabra ( kesidang )

In Melaka’s coat of arms, a Melaka tree ( Phyllanthus emblica ) is depicted in the middle of the shield, of which the state derives its name. It is also under the Melaka tree of which Parameswara rested, and decided to found the kingdom of Melaka.

Negeri Sembilan – n.a.

There is no state flower assigned to state of Negeri Sembilan.

In Negeri Sembilan’s coat of arms, nine stalk of rice ( Oryza sativa ) s depicted in the middle of the shield. The nine stalks signifies the nine states under the old Negeri Sembilan.

Pahang – n.a
There is not state flower assigned to the state of Pahang.

Perak – n.a.

There is no state flower assigned to the state of Perak.

The coat of arms of Perak is circled with a crescent that contains flowers of rice ( Oryza sativa ) of which the flowers of rice reflects the source of income for Perak.

Perak Tourist Association is proposing Kinta weed orchid ( Vanda hookeriana ) as Perak’s state flower.

Perlis – n.a.

There is no state flower assigned to the state of Perlis.

In Perlis' coat of arms, a wreath is depicted surrounding the shield. The wreath illustrated as a pair of green untied rice stalks ( Oryza sativa ) that nearly envelope the shield. The wreath signifies the cultivation of rice as the state’s main product and a major source of its economic activities. The yellow wreath within the arm’s shield carry the same symbolization.

Pulau Pinang – n.a.

There is no state flower assigned to the state of Pulau Pinang.

At the top of Pulau Pinang's coat of arms is a betel nut palm ( Areca catechu ) of which the state derives its name.

Sabah – Raffessia sp ( Rafflesia )

Sarawak – Phalaenopsis bellina ( synonym Phalaenopsis violocea )( Normah orchid )

In Sarawak's state coat-of-arm, it appears that there are 2 Hibiscus flower attached to both left and right side of a Rhinoceros hornbill, the official state bird.

Eusideroxylon zwaggen, of which the timber are harvested for its Belian wood, is the official state tree.

Semah fish ( Tor douronensis ), nicknamed 'swimming goldmine' is the official state fish.

Selangor – Mimusop elengi ( bunga tanjung )

Terengganu – Allamanda cathartica ( alamanda )

Saturday, 17 April 2010

Sekapur Sirih

The tradition of eating betel can be trace back to more than 3,000 years ago. It’s practiced from various groups ranging from the poor, the nobles, the royal and even the children..

The tradition is said to be originated from India. Some said It’s from Indonesian islands, but Malaysian Malays claims that they started the tradition without external influence. Nevertheless, it’s an important cultural activity in many Asian and Oceanic countries..

The normal ingredient of betel chewing consists of betel leaf ( leaf of Piper betle ), betel nut ( fruit of Areca catechu ), kapur and gambir ( extract of Uncaria gambir’s leaves )..

Betel leaf / Sireh ( Piper betle ) is a perennial creeper belong to the Piperaceae family. The plant originated from South & S.E.Asia. Betel oil contains chavitetol, chavicol, estragole, eugenol, methyl eugenol and hydroxycatechol. .

It is use fresh to wrap the betel nut, kapur and gambir for chewing. .

Betel nut / Pinang ( Areca catechu ) is a species of palm tree originated from S.E.Asia. The seed contains arecain and arecoline, which is intoxicating and slightly addictive, also claimed to be link to oral cancers. .

The alkaloid arecoline in betel nut acts as stimulant to promote salivation.

Kapur / slaked lime is from grind shell in a little liquid. It is Calcium hydroxide with molecular formuala Ca(OH)₂.

The lime acts to keep the active ingredient in its freebase form, thus enabling it to enter the bloodstream via sublingual absorption..

Gambir ( Uncaria gambir ) is a shrub from the family Rubiaceae. Native to S.E.Asia . It contains many catechins which are known to have many medicinal properties and are components of Chinese herbal remedies..

To make gambir, the leaves are first boiled in water, then pressed to squeeze and extract the liquid. The liquid is then dried into a semi-solid paste and molded into cubes, which are dried under the sun.