Common Name:

General Information

Raphia australis is a stout, solitary stemmed, evergreen palm producing a central stem around 10 metres long. The stem is topped by a tight rosette of large, erect leaves that can be up to 18 metres long. The plants usually have pneumatophores (breathing roots) like mangroves, which is an adaptation for swampy ground[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

East Africa - southern Mozambique, South Africa.

Habitat

Swampy places[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant likes full sun, and bad drainage. Given these conditions, it can be very fast growing, one of the fastest of all palms[].
A monocarpic plant - growing for 20 - 40 years without flowering, then producing a massive inflorescence and dying after setting seed[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The vast petioles and midribs are used to make outriggers for canoes[]. They have been for various purposes, including to make rafts, market stalls, bus shelters etc[].

The seeds are used as good, if bulky, ornaments[].

Propagation

Seed - fresh seed grows easily once the outer scales have been removed. Seedlings need filtered sunlight, plentiful water and protection from wind[].

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