Traveler’s Palm (ravenala madagascariensis)
The Traveler’s Palm is one of the most distinctive and notable plants from Madagascar. Though not a true palm, the traveler's palm gets its name from the fact that thirsty travelers could find stores of water in many parts of the plant including the leaf folds, flower bracts and inside each of the hollow leaf bases, of which may hold up to one quart of water! Its long leaf stems and deep vivid green leaves resemble those of the banana and extend out from the trunk like slats of a giant hand fan. The leaves range up to 10 feet long and from 12-20 inches in width. Young plants have a subterranean trunk, whereas the adult crown elevates itself above grown in symmetrical beauty. The green palm-like trunk grows up to 1ft in diameter and displays unique trunk leaf scar rings. It's not to be confused with it's cousin the Giant Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai). The Traveler's ...
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