Medicinal · Palm
Traveler's Palm
Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn.
Eastern Madagascar
Fun factThe common name comes from the water that collects in the enlarged sheaths at the base of the leaves, which travellers reportedly drank.
A large plant with a palm-like trunk topped by 20–30 long-stalked, banana-like leaves arranged in a single flat fan. Small creamy-white flowers sit in boat-shaped bracts like those of the bird-of-paradise, and the woody capsules hold seeds wrapped in bright blue fibres. The cup-shaped leaf bases collect rainwater, which is said to have given thirsty travellers a drink.
Sourced · see Record tab
2on the estate
0carrying a tag
0sponsored
FamilyStrelitziaceae
Spanish nameÁrbol del viajero
Also known asTraveller's palm, Traveller's tree, Árbol del viajero, Palma del viajero
Native toEastern and south-eastern Madagascar
| Tag | Garden area | Zone | Planted | Status | Sponsored | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Palm Jungle | B | 17 June 2016 | Planted | — | |
| — | Palm Jungle | B | 17 June 2016 | Planted | — |
2 of these have no tag yet; they will be numbered when the garden team re-tags the estate.