Raphia africana
Otedoh
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Description
A palm. The trunk is 5-10 m tall. It usually has 2-4 stems. They branch from the base.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The sap from the stem is fermented to make an alcoholic drink.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in dense rain-forest in West Africa. It will grow in swamps and on dry land.
Where It Grows
Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Nigeria, West Africa,
Cultivation
Succeeds in swamps and on dry land. A monocarpic plant - growing for several years without flowering, then producing a massive inflorescence and dying after setting seed.
Other Uses
The leaves have a wide range of uses - the leaflets being used for thatching and weaving whilst the midribs are used for construction, paddles, making furniture etc.
References (1)
- Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 4. Kew.
