| Raphia regalis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Genus: | Raphia |
| Species: | R. regalis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Raphia regalis | |
Raphia regalis is a species of flowering plant in the Palm Family Arecaceae r Palmae. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. Raphia regalis has extraordinarily large leaves.[2] Botanist/ecologist Francis Halle encountered a specimen in the Republic of Congo bearing a frond 25.91 meters (85 feet) in total length, of which 16.47 meters (54 feet) is the blade or lamina while 9.44 meters is the stalk or petiole of which 80 cm (32 inches) was below soil level.[3] These near-vertical fronds are arranged in the very rare 1/4 phyllotaxy.[4]
- ^ Cosiaux, A.; Gardiner, L.M.; Couvreur, T.L.P. (2018). "Raphia regalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T46200A95309512. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T46200A95309512.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Tuley, Paul (1995). The Palms of Africa. St. Ives, Cornwall, UK: Trendrine Press. p. 75.
- ^ Halle, Francis (January 1977). "Longest leaf in palms?". Principes. 21 (1): 18.
- ^ Tuley op.cit.