Arecanut (Areca catechu L.), is a highly profitable commercial crop. It is the source of common chewing nut, popularly known as betel nut or Supari and very much linked with religious practices.

Arecanut seeds contain alkaloids such as arecaidine and arecoline which when chewed are intoxicating and slightly addictive. The seed also contains tannins (pyrocyanidins) called arecatannins which are carcinogenic. These tannin extractions are used in leather industry.

India stands first in world arecanut production.