It prefers tropical rainforest climates in West Africa, especially in open wet sites. It can be found up to an altitude of 800 meters. It can tolerate temperatures down to 16 degrees latitude and up to 25-30 degrees on coasts.
Oil palm
The Elaeis guineensis, commonly known as oil palm or African oil palm, is a monoecious plant cultivated for its edible oil extracted from its fruit trusses. It thrives in tropical rainforests, particularly in open wet sites, and can reach heights over 20 meters. The plant has various uses, including forage for pigs, sap for wine, and its leaves and petioles for construction and weaving purposes.
Elaeis guineensis
Country of origin: West Africa
Additional Information: - The oil palm is native to West Africa and is commonly found in tropical rainforests, especially in open wet sites. - It can tolerate temperatures up to 16 degrees latitude in semi-hardy areas and up to 25-30 degrees on coasts. - Oil palm plantations can be found near Cairns, Australia, but in a semi-wild state only. - The fruit trusses of the oil palm produce edible oil, which can be easily extracted by boiling and pressing. The average yield is around 5 tons per hectare per year. - Apart from oil production, the oil palm has other uses as well. The fruit trusses can serve as potential forage for pigs, and the sap can be used to make wine. The palm also has an edible heart, and its leaves are used for thatching and weaving. The petioles of the palm can be utilized as fence posts and in construction. - The oil palm is a monoecious plant, commonly cultivated in pure stands on large estates. Smallholders often intercrop the palm with annual crops. - Seed propagation is the most common method of cultivation, but there is promising research on tissue culture for improved cultivation. - Improved cultivars of the oil palm have been developed. Palms typically start bearing fruit after 2.5 years and can continue to bear for up to 50 years. However, mature palms can grow very tall, reaching over 20 meters, which makes harvesting a challenging task.
- Tropical rainforest soil - Open wet sites - Well-drained soil - Suitable for plantation near Cairns, Australia
W. Africa: tropical rain forest, esp. open wet sites, to 800 m; semi - hardy to 16 degrees latitude, and 25 - 30 degrees on coasts; plantation near Cairns, Australia; semi - wild only. Edible oil (5 t/ha/yr) from fruit trusses, easily extracted by boiling and pressing; potential forage for pigs; sap for wine; edible heart; leaves for thatch, weaving; petioles for fence posts, construction.
Monoecious; cultivated in pure stands on large estates; smallholders intercrop with annual crops; seed propagation, promising research on tissue culture; excellent improved cultivars; solitary feather palm. Improved. Palms first bear fruit after 2.5 years and can bear for 50 years but these palms would be very tall (over 20 m) and difficult to harvest.