叢生性木本椰子,幹際萌生數個主幹,高可達3~8公尺。莖幹具有明顯葉痕環,環紋黃綠色。葉叢生於幹端,羽狀複葉,長橢圓形,長約150~200公分,寬約60~120公分,小葉40~60對。小葉狹披針形,有三條顯著主脈,先端二裂,長約30~60公分,寬約1~2.5公分,全緣;葉基部有黃色葉鞘包莖,長約25~30公分。肉穗狀花序具分枝,腋生,長約35~40公分。雌雄同株異花,雌花著生下部,雄花在上部。圓錐狀1~2次分枝。雄花細小,雌花稍大,黃綠色;均具花被片6枚,有香味,花期為4~6月。果實為漿果,熟時紅至紫黑色,倒圓錐形,長約1.5公分。
原產非洲馬達加斯加島及留尼旺島等地,主要生長在沿著白沙丘分布的沼澤地(lutescens)帶,株高約在6~12公尺之間。在原生育地,野生植株受人類土地開發威脅,且經常受園藝市場需求而被人採集,野外族群數量呈整體下降趨勢,因此《國際自然保護聯盟瀕危物種紅色名錄IUCN》將其列為近危(Near Threatened)物種。
於日據時期引進臺灣。又稱為散尾葵或黃蝶椰子,是園景界常見及雅致的椰子類植物之一。適合高溫、陽光充足的環境。臺灣各地的公園、綠地都有栽種,是常見的庭園樹,也頗適合作為觀賞小盆栽及種子苗盆栽以裝飾案桌。此外它的葉子細長而且線條柔和,取得容易,也常用作編織可愛的昆蟲模型,或作為插花的襯底材料。
Yellow areca palm, also known as bamboo palm, is a flowering plant that is distributed across various tropical regions including Madagascar, Cuba, and Southern Florida. It can grow from 6 to 12 meters in height, where multiple stems emerge from its base. Its leaves are pinnate, 2 – 3 meters in length. Its yellow flowers are also pinnate, fragrant, and blossom during summer.
This plant is commonly grown for ornamental purposes and can be planted as an indoor plant. Its long and thin leaves can be used for arts and crafts.