Traveller's palm, Traveller's tree
Ravenala madagascariensis
Family: Strelitziaceae
What it is like
An evergreen shrub. It grows to 10-16 m high and spreads to 3-6 m across. The stem is erect, formed by the bases of the old leaves. It is palm like. The leaves are arranged in 2 opposite rows on long leaf stalks which form sheaths around the stem. They are 5 m long, are closely overlapping and open like fans. They are paddle shaped. The flowers are white and have 3 petals. They occur in long spikes and have boat shaped bracts in the axils. The fruit capsules contain seeds with a bright blue seed covering (aril). The seeds are edible.
There is one Ravenala species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It does best in rich, moist soil. It needs a protected, sunny, warm position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It grows from sea level to 1,000 m altitude in Madagascar. It needs a temperature above 16-18°C. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Burkina Faso, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Fiji, Ghana, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar (country/location of origin), Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies
How it is used for food
The fat found in the fleshy layer around the seeds is used in cooking. Sugary sap is extracted from the trunk. The seeds are eaten. A kind of flour is made from them. There is watery sap in the enlarged leaf bases.
Edible parts
Seeds, leaves, fruit, cabbage, seeds oil
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or by division of suckers. Seeds grow slowly.
Its other names
Local names
Chuei re quat, Fontsy, Kluay-phat, Ohn-nget-pyaw, Ointsy, Panthopadop, Pisang kipas, Pokok travelers, Ravenala, Ravinala, Ravinamafy