Synopsis of the genus Raphia P. Beauv. (Arecaceae, Calamoideae) in the Republic of the Congo
Raphia is a genus of palm belonging to the family Arecaceae composed of 22 species. Recent floral treatments of the genus have been published for the Central African region but data on species from the Republic of the Congo is lacking. In addition, it has been suggested in those treatments that more data should be collected in the field to refine the IUCN assessments of Raphia species such as R. matombe and R. rostrata. Taxonomically, species delineations and distribution ranges are still somewhat incompletely known for R. hookeri, R. laurentii, R. monbuttorum and R. sese. Thus, this paper aims to provide new data about Raphia species occurring in the Republic of the Congo and addresses some of the knowledge gaps in the genus. We propose a new measurement point for the diameter of the petiole that we refer to as DP30 to standardize comparison within the genus. We collected herbarium specimens and took high-quality photographs in nine departments of the Republic of the Congo. We measured leaves and leaflets on mature individuals bearing either inflorescences, infructescences, or both. Information on the use of materials from Raphia species is presented. We record seven Raphia species from the country: R. gentiliana, R. hookeri, R. laurentii, R. matombe, R. regalis, R. rostrata and R. textilis. The first two species have a wide distribution range across the country whereas R. matombe is only recorded in two departments and R. regalis, R. rostrata and R. textilis are recorded in only one department. R. hookeri and R. laurentii are the only two species which form large mono-dominant stands in swamps in the Republic of the Congo. We found that different parts of the Raphia species plants are used for different purposes. The petiole and leaflets are used in the construction of buildings. The pith is used to make decorative objects and toys. The epidermis of the young leaflets is used to make raffia loincloths and traditional dance skirts. The sap is tapped to make Raphia wine. Individuals of some Raphia species are cut down, wounded, and left to decay to harvest the larvae of Rhynchophorus cf. phoenicis (Fabricius, 1801) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). More observations and collections from the field are needed for a better understanding of this genus in Africa.
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