Raphia Palm Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

ROTSIP: No response from owner. If you wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the future, just contact us (by email), and assuming it meets the current guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it.

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Hidden : 1/23/2005
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

The best spot to see the Raphia palms (Raphia australis) is at the Raphia Palm Monument at Mtunzini, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

The grove of raphia palms beside the railway line is one of the few declared natural monuments in the country and is the best place to spot the rare Palmnut Vulture which nests close to the top of the palm.

The original colony of palms was established in the early 1900's as a trial to produce fibre for a broom-making industry. The palms flourished beyond expectation but the leaf fibre proved unsatisfactory and the commercial interest in them faded. However, the townsfolk remained enthusiastic about 'their' raphia palm and have adopted it and the Palmnut Vulture, which have subsequently begun nesting here, as symbols of the town.

This magnificent palm can grow to a height of 25m and its leaves are amongst the largest in the entire plant kingdom. Their fronds can be seen emerging majestically above the canopy of forests around Mtunzini like plumes of ostrich feathers. Their life cycle is short and the palm dies after flowering and fruiting at about 25 years. Within each fruit a thin layer of orange flesh covers the seed and this forms an essential part of the diet of the Palmnut Vulture.

A wooden boardwalk allows visitors easy access to the heart of the raphia palm grove where the prime specimens create an awesome cathedral-like effect.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Orybj ahzore 13

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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