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5 plants worth knowing

Liberia

Liberia is one of the rainiest countries in Africa – the coast can receive more than 4,000 mm of rain a year. It holds the largest surviving share of the Upper Guinean rainforests, protected in Sapo National Park and the Nimba Mountains among other places, while rubber and oil palm plantations occupy the coast and the hinterland of the towns.

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

where it grows

  1. African oil palm 1

    palm · The palm on the Great Seal and coat of arms of Liberia

    African oil palm

    Elaeis guineensis

    The palm on Liberia’s coat of arms – it gives oil, palm wine and “palm butter”, a thick sauce that is one of the national dishes.
  2. Liberian coffee 2

    tree

    Liberian coffee

    Coffea liberica

    A coffee that bears the country’s name – it has huge beans, grows like a tree and in the 19th century saved Asia’s plantations from coffee rust.
  3. Rubber tree 3

    tree

    Rubber tree

    Hevea brasiliensis

    The Firestone plantation at Harbel, running since 1926, is one of the largest rubber plantations in the world.
  4. Grains of paradise 4

    perennial

    Grains of paradise

    Aframomum melegueta

    Peppery “grains of paradise” gave the Liberian coast its old name – the Pepper Coast, also known as the Grain Coast.
  5. Azobé 5

    tree

    Azobé

    Lophira alata

    A forest giant with wood so heavy it sinks in water – used to build harbours and locks all over the world.