Raffia (Raphia ruffis)

Raffia (Raphia ruffis) is a palm fiber leaf or leaf rib fiber from tropical palm varieties (Palmae).  Raffia palms are up to 20 m high, the palm crowns carrying pinnate leaves up to 15 m long and up to 3 m wide.   Raffia fibers have very good strength and stretch. They are 1.5 - 1.8 m long and 0.04 m wide.