Raphia hookeri

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Figure 1. R. hookeri

Common Names:

Wine Palm

Distribution & Habitat:

Found in lowland swamps throughout Western and Central Africa.

Description:

A usually solitary, altho occasionally suckering palm, with extremely long, (to 12m) dark green, pinnate leaves, rigid leaflets, and a trunk up to 10m high. The trunk has very attractive and unusual coils coming from it.

General:

All parts of the plant are heavily utilised by locals; for all things from building materials to food, and wine ; (see some of the links at the bottom).

Culture:

Hot, sunny, and moist; doesn't mind wet feet. Not very cold tolerant.

Figure 2. R. hookeri

Figure 3. Note the coils from the trunk

Figure 4. R. hookeri

Contributed by:

Michael Pascall (Figures 1,2,3&4)

External Links:

Kew, PalmWeb, JSTOR, Trebrown

Google, Google Images, Flickr, PACSOA Forums, PalmTalk