Raphia sese fruits
Nsaku, ba di magangu (Kongo).
A palm which grows in dense clumps up to 10 m tall. Female flowers are produced at the base and male flowers higher up the spike.
The pulp around the seeds is edible and contains a yellow-orange oil composed of over 70% unsaturated fatty acids (compared with 55% for palm oil). The fruits are piled up and covered with branches and foliage until mature. The scales surrounding the flesh are then removed by soaking or by boiling the fruits in water. The flesh is eaten as a condiment and to regulate sugar intake for diabetes. The leaf stalks were traditionally used to make nsaku (a long bladed knife). Honeybees collect nectar from some species and may be responsible for pollination.
Raphia sese fruits
Nsaku, ba di magangu (Kongo).
A palm which grows in dense clumps up to 10 m tall. Female flowers are produced at the base and male flowers higher up the spike.
The pulp around the seeds is edible and contains a yellow-orange oil composed of over 70% unsaturated fatty acids (compared with 55% for palm oil). The fruits are piled up and covered with branches and foliage until mature. The scales surrounding the flesh are then removed by soaking or by boiling the fruits in water. The flesh is eaten as a condiment and to regulate sugar intake for diabetes. The leaf stalks were traditionally used to make nsaku (a long bladed knife). Honeybees collect nectar from some species and may be responsible for pollination.