Family: Arecaceae
Raphia vinifera (bamboo palm, West African piassava palm) is a palm native to west and west central tropical Africa. The raw fruit of this plant is said to be used as a fish poison and to bait birds. Oil extracted from the fruits by cooking is edible, and called raphia butter. A type of alcohol called Bourdon is created by fermenting the sap. The sap can also be used to make a sweet syrup. This tree has some invasive qualities, such as its ability to form dense stands in its native range, and reproduction by both seeds and suckering. However, there are no confirmed reports of naturalization or invasiveness with this species yet. This may be because it has never been widely introduced outside its native range.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Spines on leaflets
- Tolerates many soil types
- Forms dense stands in native range
- Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by suckering
- Seeds dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals amd intentionally by people
- Proximity to aquatic habitats suggests water likely dispersed seeds in native range
Low Risk Traits:
- No confirmed reports of invasiveness or naturalization, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Extracts reported to be toxic to fish, but otherwise not toxic to animals or people
- Grows in full sun
- Reaches maturity in 8+ years
- Relatively large fruit and seeds may limit dispersal in islands lacking larger frugivorous birds