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5 plants worth knowing

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea consists of mainland Río Muni, covered in dense equatorial forest and home to Monte Alén National Park, and the volcanic islands of Bioko, crowned by Pico Basilé, and remote Annobón. The climate is hot and very humid all year round, and the southern slopes of Bioko receive more than 10,000 mm of rain a year – one of the wettest places in Africa.

Hover over a plant to see on the map where it grows.

where it grows

  1. Kapok tree 1

    tree · The tree on the coat of arms of Equatorial Guinea (also shown on the flag)

    Kapok tree

    Ceiba pentandra

    The mighty ceiba is the “God tree” on the coat of arms and flag of Equatorial Guinea – a symbol of the nation’s unity.
  2. Cacao 2

    crop

    Cacao

    Theobroma cacao

    Before the oil era, Bioko was famous for its cocoa – its beans were among the finest in the world.
  3. Okoumé 3

    tree

    Okoumé

    Aucoumea klaineana

    For decades this tree was Río Muni’s main export – its wood is made into plywood for the whole world.
  4. African oil palm 4

    palm

    African oil palm

    Elaeis guineensis

    The palm that provides cooking oil and palm wine – in the villages of Bioko and Río Muni it grows beside practically every house.
  5. Azobé 5

    tree

    Azobé

    Lophira alata

    The “ironwood” of Río Muni’s forests – its timber is so heavy and hard that it sinks in water and resists termites.