Ravenala madagascariensis
Family: Strelitziaceae
Travellers palm
Origin: Madagascar
The traveler’s palm is one of nature’s most distinctive and remarkable plants. Although this plant is called a palm; it is not a true palm. It grows up, to 40″ tall, while the big banana-like leaves can grow up to 15″ long. The leaves are arranged in a fan-shaped manner; it has a rather short, palm like, trunk. The small white flowers are held in bracts. In these bracts and leaf folds, rainwater is collected. The fruits are brown while the seeds are blue. The traveler’s palm tolerates sandy and clayey soils with good drainage, and thrives in rich, moist and loamy soils. Light: The traveler’s palm thrives and grows best in full sun but also grows well in part sun/shade. Small plants should be shaded until well established. The traveler’s palm requires a lot of light, especially when grown indoors. Moisture: Soils should be moist and have good drainage to yield optimal growth. Hardiness: USDA Zones 10 – 11. Propagation: The traveler’s palm may be propagated by seeds or by division and replanting of the attractive clumps (or suckers) formed at the base of the plant.
