Records determined by Jos Stevens

Clearly seen the "paratiseded flowers" as well as the "prominent veins".

Yellow form

Growing wild at the farm

Host plant Harungana madagascariensis

A serious weed in our farm

Male flowers, pinkish in small catkin-like spikes.

DRC Katanga: the leaves are cooked and then poured into a bowl. With the head above the bowl, the strong, vigorous fumes are injected into severe nasal coldness.

DRC Katanga: he leaves are cooked and then poured into a bowl. With the head above the bowl, the strong, vigorous fumes are injected into severe nasal coldness.

The leaves of M. discoidea var.nitida are slightly oblong while the leaves of M. discoidea var. triplosphaera are somewhat egg shaped (obovate). The fruits of var. triplophaera are clearly different (more deeply lobed) from var. nitida.

The leaves of M. discoidea var.nitida are slightly oblong while the leaves of M. discoidea var. triplosphaera are somewhat egg shaped (obovate). The fruits of var. triplophaera are clearly different (more deeply lobed) from var. nitida.

The plant has been found only in a few villages in the farm region. Determination was based on online photos and a drawing of the leaves and pods in "Woody Plants of Western Africa" Hawthorne and Jongkind (Kew edition) p.331. Furthermore was the determination based on the description of the medical applications and the Lunda name. The leaves are eaten against malnutrition.

Plant not cultivated, native in DRC. Pictures taken more than 10 meter into the riverine forest. Climbed about 5 m high.

Plant not cultivated, native in DRC. Pictures taken more than 10 meter into the riverine forest. Climbed about 5 m high.

flowers

fruit

fruit

The leaves are distinctly bluish ('glaucous') at least in Zambia. O. richardsiae has narrower leaves, which are green.

Flowers

Immature fruits

Immature fruits

mature fruits

mature fruits

fruits with cherry sepals

fruits with brik red sepals

This Raphia farinifera occurs in our region many along swampy streams. An extremely useful palm: the fruits offer a highly valued oil for preparing food, the tree provides the best of all palm wines and with the sturdy stems of the very long leaves, people make beds, chairs, sofas, tables and toys. The petioles also serve in making roofs.

This Raphia farinifera occurs in our region many along swampy streams. An extremely useful palm: the fruits offer a highly valued oil for preparing food, the tree provides the best of all palm wines and with the sturdy stems of the very long leaves, people make beds, chairs, sofas, tables and toys. The petioles also serve in making roofs.

A real weed around some villages. Goats and sheep eat it and they say it is good for them against abdominal worms.