Elaeis

Oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis )

The oil palms ( Elaeis ) are a genus of palm family family ( Arecaceae ). It consists of only two species, of which the oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ) as an oil plant of economic importance.

Features

The oil palm trees are medium to large, dioecious palm trees. The always separate stem is short and creeping or high, the surface is rough or covered with leaf bases of fallen leaves. The leaves are pinnate and divided regularly. The petiole has the edge fiber spines. The leaflets are regularly arranged or grouped and are available in one or in several levels.

The inflorescences are between the leaves and hardly extend out from the vagina of its liner sheet. The inflorescence is simple branched and has a short peduncle. The numerous side branches are along a rather short rachis. The male flowers have three free sepals, three petals and six free stamens with fused stamens and a rudimentary ovary. The female flowers have three free, overlapping sepals and three petals similar, six staminodes, which form a low ring, and three carpels grown together.

The fruit stand is crowded and is at a short stalk. The fruits are medium in size and of orange, red or black color. The endocarp is bony and has three apical germ pore. The leaves of the seedlings are narrow and undivided.

Dissemination

The oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ) is native to West Africa but grown in the tropics worldwide. The second type Elaeis oleifera is native to tropical America.

System

The genus is placed in the tribe Cocoeae within the subfamily Arecoideae. It is regarded as an isolated and possibly old clan within the tribe. It consists of two types:

• Oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis )
• Elaeis oleifera

Documents

• Elaeis on Palms of Ecuador ( Internet Archive retrieved 10 August 2013)

• Palmaceus