The dried, ripe seed of the palm tree Areca catechu (Palmae), a native of Sri Lanka and Malaya, which attains a height of 30–50 ft (9–15 m). The nuts, slightly larger than a chestnut, when broken open have a faint odor and a somewhat acrid taste. Betel nuts are chewed by the natives together with the leaves of the betel pepper, Piper betle (Piperaceae), and lime. The mixture discolors and eventually destroys the teeth. Frequently, habitual chewers of the nut are toothless by the age of 25. The seeds contain a narcotic that produces some stimulation and a sense of well-being.