Ravenala Madagascariensis – Traveller’s Tree

Description

The traveller’s tree (Ravenala madagascariensis) is one of Madagascar’s best-known plants. The fully grown plant consists of a trunk with a bundle of very large leaves, which are arranged in two rows and therefore form a flat fan. The plant grows up to 30 m tall and is still stemless for the first time. The leaves resemble those of a banana plant. They are 1–4 m long with a long stem. The leaf has a midrib with almost straight side veins, between which the leaf is torn, giving the leaf a feather-like appearance.

The inflorescences are located between the petioles and are up to 85 cm long. They consist of five to fifteen large, boat-shaped bracts, each enclosing up to sixteen creamy white flowers. The flowers are up to 20 cm long and consist of six petals. Of the petals, two are always fused into a sheath, in which there are six stamens. The flowers in Madagascar are pollinated by lemurs, which feed on the nectar of the flowers.

The traveller tree is planted in tropical parks all over the world. The Dutch name comes from the tradition that the plant would always be a source of fresh drinking water for travellers. Indeed, water remains in the axils of the petioles, which is full of leaf debris and mosquito larvae.