Traveller's Palm

Commonly known as the Traveller's Palm this is not really a palm at all, nor is it a Bird-of-Paradise! Though it is a member of the same Strelitziae family and as a young plant does look quite similar to Strelitzia reginae and Strelitzia nicolai. But as it matures it develops a magnificent palm-like single trunk and enormous paddle-like leaves that form a distinctive fan shaped display.

The Ravenala Madagascariensis, also known as the Traveller's Tree or Traveller's Palm, is an evergreen tree with a majestic fan-like crown. Towering up to 100 ft tall, this giant showcases cylindrical stems with large, banana-like leaves. Those leaves can grow between 8-15 ft long and span to 80-150cm wide. This unique fan-shaped arrangement lends itself to the tree’s name, collecting rainwater and plant secretions, which historically served as a refreshing drink for thirsty travellers.
Endemic to Madagascar, this rainforest dweller thrives in sheltered, warm, humid, and per-humid areas near the coast, anywhere from sea level up to 3000 ft. The Traveller’s Tree is known to produce an edible seed, used locally, and often grown for its striking ornamental value.
Traveller’s Tree is a pollinator hub, attracting a multitude of pollinators like lemurs, bats, and birds. Fascinatingly, in full bloom, a new flower opens every 2-3 days, predominantly at night, resulting in a stunning floral display.
Despite its grandeur, this evergreen marvel does take up to 10 years before flowering. However, it's the foliage rather than the blooms that draw people to this magnificent tree. Therefore, if you're seeking a breathtaking feature for your garden or landscape, look no further than the Traveller’s Tree.