Elaeis
Quick Summary
The genus Elaeis refers to a group of pinnate-leaved palms, most notably the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). These trees are cultivated for their fruit, which yields two types of oil: palm oil from the fruit's fleshy outer part and palm kernel oil from the seeds.123
Palm oil is used in products like soaps, cosmetics, and biofuels, while palm kernel oil is found in edible goods such as margarine and ice cream. The expansion of oil palm farming has led to significant deforestation and habitat loss, impacting biodiversity, particularly in regions like Indonesia and Malaysia.3
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