Elaeis guineensis Jacq.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Aberfoyle Golf Course, Honde Valley.

Photo: Petra Ballings
Aberfoyle Golf Course, Honde Valley.

Photo: Bart Wursten
Cloud Pool, Gorongosa National Park, Muanza.

Katanga Province, DRC
Jun 2006
Photo: Jos Stevens

Katanga Province, DRC
Nov 2005
Photo: Jos Stevens

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Synonyms:
Common names:
Description:	Leaves up to 8 m; segments ca. 120 cm. Fruits ca. 4 cm; ripening from green to yellow to red or black, 4 cm; endocarp black, 3-sided, bearing 3 germination pores. 2n = 32.(Description JSTOR)
Notes:	Although several other small populations are known from Mozambique, it is very unclear whether these are of natural native origin or are naturalized from ancient planted specimens. The population in the images were of different ages but no large tree-size specimens were seen anywhere. It seems very unlikely the specimens themselves were planted since they were growing in a remote and otherwise undisturbed area.
Derivation of specific name:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Throughout the moister parts of Africa and widely cultivated in other countries within and outside Africa; also in Madagascar
Growth form(s):	Tree.
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Image last updated:	Friday 10 July 2015
Literature:	Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 49. (Includes a picture). Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 120. Dransfield, J. (2010). Arecaceae Flora Zambesiaca 13(2) Pages 66 - 69. (Includes a picture). Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 55. White, F., Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Chapman, J.D. (2001). Evergreen forest flora of Malawi Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Page 107.

Other sources of information about Elaeis guineensis:

Our websites:

Flora of Burundi: Elaeis guineensis
Flora of the DRC: Elaeis guineensis
Flora of Malawi: Elaeis guineensis
Flora of Mozambique: Elaeis guineensis
Flora of Zambia: cultivated Elaeis guineensis
Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Elaeis guineensis

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Elaeis guineensis
African Plant Database: Elaeis guineensis
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Elaeis guineensis
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Elaeis guineensis
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Elaeis guineensis
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Elaeis guineensis
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Elaeis guineensis
JSTOR Plant Science: Elaeis guineensis
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Elaeis guineensis
Plants of the World Online: Elaeis guineensis
Tropicos: Elaeis guineensis
Wikipedia: Elaeis guineensis