Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis)

Elaeis guineensis (African oil palm) is a tropical palm species native to West Africa, widely cultivated for its oil-rich fruit. The tree can reach up to 20 meters in height and produces clusters of small, reddish-orange fruits, from which palm oil is extracted for cooking, cosmetics, and industrial use. It thrives in humid, tropical climates and is a major economic crop in Southeast Asia and Africa. While highly productive, its large-scale cultivation can have significant ecological impacts, including habitat loss and biodiversity reduction.