A fibrous material used for tying plants, said to come from the leaves of a palm tree of the genus Raphia. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants). [1913 Webster]
raffia, n. (also raphia)
1 a palm-tree, Raphia ruffia, native to Madagascar, having very long leaves.
2 the fibre from its leaves used for making hats, baskets, etc., and for tying plants etc.