Raffia
Raffia, fiber stripped from the leaves of the raffia palm tree. The tough, stringy, weather-resistant fiber is used to make baskets and hats and to tie plants for budding and grafting. The raffia palm, native to Africa, Madagascar, and South America, is an attractive tree with a sturdy trunk and very large, spiny leaves. The spongy fruit contains a single seed. Raffia palms are occasionally grown in Florida.
The common raffia palm is Raphia ruffia of the palm family, Palmae.