Raphia gentiliana

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Raphia (rahf-EE-ah)
gentiliana (jehn-tihl-ee-AHN-ah)
3748041685 6c426cd40c o.jpg
Bas-Congo. Photo by Paul Latham.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Raphia (rahf-EE-ah)
Species:
gentiliana (jehn-tihl-ee-AHN-ah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
America.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Koko, nkula (Congo)

Habitat and Distribution

Central African Republic, and Zaire. Congo, Democratic
Botanic Garden of Belgium. Photo by Dr. P. Borremans.
Republic, Bas-Congo, Kasangulu, Bemba.

Description

Moderate, apparently solitary palm; stem 6 m long with leaves up to 10 m long, arching away from the axis; leaflets to 120 on each side of rachis; inflorescences pendant, 2 m long; fruits variable in shape, ranging from tapering club shaped to more globose or ellipsoid-ovoid, 4-6.5 cm long and 3-3.5 cm in diameter, covered by yellowish-brown brown scales which become darker at maturity. (Palms of Africa)

Culture

Cold Hardiness Zone: 10a

Comments and Curiosities

Uses: The leaf stems are used for making hammocks, beds and various items of furniture. Traditionally fibres from the young leaves were used to weave Mbari, a loin cloth worn for dances. The palm is tapped for palm wine. Honeybees collect nectar from some species and may be responsible for pollination.

Raphia gentiliana (synonym: Raphia gilletii (De Wild.) Becc.) occurs in the Central African Republic and DR Congo. The leaves are used for thatching, fibres from the rachis are used for making mats, bags, textiles and carpets, and the rachis and petiole are used for construction, furniture, beehives and toys. The tree is tapped for palm wine, and the apical bud is eaten as a vegetable. A leaf decoction is taken against asthenia.(PROTA)



External Links

References

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.

Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos.

Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).


Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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