Arecaceae FAMILY

Raphia vinifera

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Wine palm is an evergreen, single-stemmed palm tree with an unbranched, rather stout stem that can be 5 metres tall. It is topped by a crown of leaves that can be 10 metres or more long[ 970 Title The Raphia Palms of West Africa Publication Kew Bulletin Vol. 19 No. 2 Author Russell T.A. Publisher Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London Year 1965 ISBN Description Describing the six known species of Raphia found in west Africa and their uses. ]. A multipurpose tree that is very important for the local population, supplying food, fibres and building materials. The fibres are exported to many other countries. The plant is cultivated in Nigeria, Cameroon, India, and Singapore[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeTropical west Africa - Ghana to DR Congo.

HabitatBorders of rivers[ 454 Title Useful Fiber Plants of the World Publication Author Dodge C.R. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ Publisher USDA; Washington. Year 1897 ISBN Description A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. Swamps and creeks[ 970 Title The Raphia Palms of West Africa Publication Kew Bulletin Vol. 19 No. 2 Author Russell T.A. Publisher Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London Year 1965 ISBN Description Describing the six known species of Raphia found in west Africa and their uses. ].