Ivory Coast Raffia Palm

Raphia hookeri

Physical Characteristics

Raphia hookeri is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Distribution

Western tropical Africa - Sierra Leone to Central African Republic and Zaire, south to Angola.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Apical bud Flowers Fruit Oil Sap Stem Edible Uses: Drink Oil Sweetener The sap from the trunk is fermented to make palm wine, which is a very popular drink in west Africa[297 , 299 ]. When fresh, the sap tastes like ginger beer. The alcohol content of the sap increases from less than 2% to about 5% during the first 8 days of tapping, remaining constant thereafter[299 ]. It is obtained from the inflorescence[301 ]. It is tapped from the stem when the tree nears the flowering stage[299 ]. The sap can be obtained either by cutting down the trunk and allowing the sap to drain out, or by boring a hole in the trunk near the apex[297 ]. Palm wine is obtained by piercing the base of the terminal bud, which leads eventually to the death of the palm[418 ]. The wine is distilled into a strong alcoholic liquor and can also be used as bakers' yeast[299 ]. Fruit - boiled and eaten[297 , 299 ]. Poisonous raw[299 ]. The apical bud is cooked and used like cabbage[299 , 301 ]. Harvesting this bud will eventually cause the death of the trunk because it is unable to make side branches[K ]. An edible starch is obtained from the stem[301 ]. An oil is obtained from the fruit[297 ].

Medicinal Uses

Laxative Stomachic The oily mesocarp of the fruit is used in traditional medicine for its laxative and stomachic properties and as a liniment for pains[299 ].

Known Hazards

The raw fruit is poisonous and is crushed for use as fish poison[299 ].