Raphia australis
Stout, solitary palm; stem 10 m long; leaves in the crown forming a tight rosette; leaflets to 120 on each side of rachis; inflorescences erect, with an overall structure conical in shape; fruits ellipsoid, sometimes slightly crescent-shaped, 6-9 cm long and 3-5 cm in diameter, covered by yellowish to dark-brown scales.
There are some superficial similarities with R. farinifera, from which it can be differentiated by its conspicuously erect compound inflorescence, a reproductive character that is only shared with R. regalis within the genus.
Reported from South Mozambique to the Natal and Cape Provinces in South Africa. According to Tuley (1995) this species has been also planted in several sites in South Africa.
This palm is generally associated to swamp conditions.