raffia palm

American  

noun

1. any of various palms of the genus Raphia, as R. farinifera of tropical Africa, having pinnate leaves that yield a strong, flexible fiber.

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Etymology

Origin of raffia palm

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The chimps made absorbent sponges with chewed leaves and then dipped them into the sap of the raffia palm trees.

From Time • Jun. 10, 2015

In Bossou, Guinea, the raffia palm produces a sap whose sugars quickly ferment.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2015

Their report was only off by a hair; the Kongo people made remarkable textiles by beating the fibrous bark of certain trees, or weaving thread from the raffia palm.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver