Elaeis guineensis

Jkwinston · #1

Aka African Oil Palm:

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#2

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This African native grows upwards of 65' tall, though usually less in cultivation, as tall palms are less useful and usually get chopped down to be replaced with shorter ones. It tends to have a large crown of leaves (up to 40) that are plumose, relatively straight and have nasty barbs along the petioles. This is one of the most economically important of all the palm trees throughout the world... and controversial. Much of the destruction of natural jungle throughout much of the planet has been to make room for this one species... It is too tropical for us here in Southern California not being able to tolerate long periods of cool often associated with Mediterranean climates. Large plants look a bit like an ultra-tropical Phoenix palm. Fruits are very high in edible oils and is the primary source for the artery-clogging palm oil you see in so many junk foods. It is also an important part of the natural diet of the African Grey parrot, though not an essential one in captivity.