2. An exceptional oilseed with multiple uses

2.1 Palms and oils

Etymologically, elaia comes from the ancient Greek word for olive, because of its oil-rich fruit.

The genus Elaeis belongs to the Arecaceae family, Cocoideae tribe. It is a perennial monocotyledon that can live for several centuries, but it is not a true tree in the botanical sense, but rather a giant grass.

This genus is found in the humid tropics of Africa, America and Asia, and comprises several taxonomically well-defined species. From an economic point of view, oil palms correspond to two distinct species: Elaeis guineensis Jacq. and Elaeis oleifera (Kunth) Cortés.

The botanist Jacquin (1763) gave the species Elaeis guineensis Jacq. its name, and attributed its center of origin to the Guinean...