Thatch palm
Raphia palma-pinus
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A palm. The trunk is 2-3 m high. It develops suckers and forms clump. The fronds are yellowish-green and not shiny.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in wet swamps. It grows in the landward side of mangrove swamps.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, West Africa
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit, seeds, sap, palm heart, cabbage
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Apel, Batata, Befen, Chana bua, Dahare, Dara, Darre, Mambampa-tara, Tara, Tarra
Synonyms
Sagus palma-pinus Gaertn.;