Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Strelitziaceae
Botanical Name
RAVENALA madagascariensis
Plant Common Name
Traveller's Palm
General Description
Sometimes called the traveller’s palm, the traveller's tree is an exceptional, large, tropical, tree-like perennial. It is a unique plant closely related to the famous bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae). It hails from the island of Madagascar off the coast of Africa.
The thick, unbranched, palm-like stem is topped by a flat-planed, fan-shaped crown of leathery, banana-like green leaves. The base of the leaf stems features a near perfect chevron pattern, this plant’s most valued feature. Water often collects in these leaf bases, reputed to quench the thirst of jungle travellers.
Traveller's tree does not bloom until near maturity when it produces spathes, which are semi-woody enclosures and stems for the soft white flowers. A few flowers open at a time all summer long but are not particularly beautiful. In fact, they can spoil the beauty of this plant’s geometry and are sometimes cut off when they first appear. This long-lived ornamental is most often grown as a single specimen due to its size and dramatic appearance. It is easy to grow where the frost-free climate is adequately mild and moist. Protect from wind as the leaves will shred and not look as majestic.
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Feature Plant, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
