Raf·fi·a palm (a) A pinnate-leaved palm (Raphia ruffia) native of Madagascar, and of considerable economic importance on account of the strong fiber (raffia) obtained from its leafstalks. (b) The jupati palm.
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  raffia palm
       n : a large feather palm of Africa and Madagascar having very
           long pinnatisect fronds yielding a strong commercially
           important fiber from its leafstalks [syn: Raffia
           farinifera, Raffia ruffia]