Elaeis
(from Elaia, the Olive; oil expressed from the fruit as from olives). Oil Palm. ORD. Palmae. A very small genus of stove palms. Fruit bright red, in large, somewhat obovate heads. Leaves pinnatisect, with strong prickly stalks. They form excellent decorative plants when in a young state, and thrive well in a rich sandy soil. Increased by seeds.
E. guineensis (Guinea). Stem erect, 20ft. to 30ft. high, terminated by a fine crown of pinnate dark green leaves, of about 15ft. in length. Guinea, 1730. This species yields the celebrated palm oil of commerce. (G. C. n. s., vii. 373.)
E. melanococa (black-seeded). This closely resembles the fore-going, but is smaller, with a somewhat decumbent habit, emitting roots from lower side of prostrate stem. Tropical America, 1821.