dendê oil palm tree - the oil palms (elaeis (from greek, meaning "oil")) comprise two species of the arecaceae, or palm family. they are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. the african oil palm elaeis guineensis (guineensis referring to its country of origin) is native to west and southwest africa, occurring between angola and gambia, while the american oil palm elaeis oleifera (from english oliferous, meaning "oil-producing") is native to tropical central america and south america.