Information on the West African Raphia Palm Tree
A palm native to western and central Africa, the Raphia palm, or Raphia hookeri, is known as the wine palm for its wine, food and construction properties. Raphia palms are found in Africa's swamp areas, where they are prized by locals. Does this Spark an idea?
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Characteristics
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A raphia palm's two most distinguishing features are its leaves, which can grow up to 39 feet in length, and its up-to-33-foot-tall trunk, which sprouts a coiling vegetation throughout. The leaves of a raphia are green and pinnate, and sprout from the base of the trunk to its crown.
Uses and Economic Viability
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The website Ecocrop reports that the raphia palm trunk is used for various house materials, such as framework, screening, partitions, ceilings and even furniture. The tree's fibers are obtained and used for sweeping, mats, hammocks and ropes, and palm wine is made by poking a hole into the trunk's terminal bud base, which kills the tree.
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Geography
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Western and central Africa is the home base for raphia palm, which is often found in the coastal swamps of Sierra Leone. The raphia can grow in up to three feet of water, and is common in lowland marshes.
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