Comments
provided by eFloras
Elaeis guineensis is widespread in wet tropical Africa. It is now cultivated throughout the tropics, where it is the most important perennial oil crop, the source of both palm oil and palm kernel oil. E.laeis guineensis has escaped in the vicinity of Miami, Florida, and may be counted as an element of the flora. Birds and small mammals eat the oil fruits and disperse the seeds. Juveniles are easily recognized by the very sharp, spinescent remains of leaf segment midribs at the base of each leaf.
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- Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
Description
provided by eFloras
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.
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- cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
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- Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
Distribution
provided by eFloras
introduced; Fla.; native, to Africa.
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- cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
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- Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
Flowering/Fruiting
provided by eFloras
Flowering spring-- through summer.
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- cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
Habitat
provided by eFloras
Moist organic soil over limestone in mesic hammocks and disturbed wooded areas; 0--10m.
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- cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA