''Ravenala'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

of monocotyledonous flowering plants. Classically, the genus was considered to include a single species, ''Ravenala madagascariensis'', commonly known as the traveller's tree, traveller's palm or East-West palm, from

Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Afric ...

. It is not a true palm (family

Arecaceae The Arecaceae is a family of perennial flowering plants in the monocot order Arecales. Their growth form can be climbers, shrubs, tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly known as palms. Those having a tree-like form are called palm trees ...

) but a member of the family

Strelitziaceae The Strelitziaceae comprise a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants, very similar in appearance and growth habit to members of the related families Heliconiaceae and Musaceae (banana family). The three genera with seven species of Strelitz ...

. The genus is closely related to the southern African genus '' Strelitzia'' and the South American genus '' Phenakospermum''. Some older classifications include these genera in the banana family (

Musaceae Musaceae is a family of flowering plants composed of three genera with about 91 known species, placed in the order Zingiberales. The family is native to the tropics of Africa and Asia. The plants have a large herbaceous growth habit with leaves ...

). Although it is usually considered to be a single species, four different forms have been distinguished. Five other species were described in 2021, all from Madagascar: ''Ravenala agatheae'' Haev. & Razanats., ''R. blancii'' Haev., V.Jeannoda & A.Hladik, ''R. grandis'' Haev., Razanats, A.Hladik & P.Blanc, ''R. hladikorum'' Haev., Razanats., V. Jeannoda & P.Blanc, ''R. madagascariensis'' Sonn., et ''R. menahirana'' Haev. & Razanats.

Name

It has been given the name "traveller's palm" because the sheaths of the stems hold rainwater, which supposedly could be used as an emergency drinking supply for needy travellers. Another plausible reason for its name is that the fan tends to grow on an east–west line, providing a crude compass. The scientific name ''Ravenala'' comes from Malagasy ''ravinala'' or ''ravina ala'' meaning "forest leaves".

Description

The enormous paddle-shaped leaves are borne on long petioles, in a distinctive fan shape aligned in a single plane ( distichous). The large white flowers are structurally similar to those of its relatives, the bird-of-paradise flowers '' Strelitzia reginae'' and '' Strelitzia nicolai'', but are generally considered less attractive, with a green

bract In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or o ...

. These flowers, upon being pollinated, produce brilliant blue seeds. In tropical and subtropical regions, the plant is widely cultivated for its distinctive habit and foliage. As the plant grows older, it progressively loses the lowest or oldest leaves and reveals a sturdy grey trunk. Of the four forms, varieties or subspecies, the largest is the "Bemavo", from the hills of eastern Madagascar, which can be 100 feet (30 metres) in height with a trunk 2 feet (60 cm) thick. The foliar fan consists of 20 to 35 leaves, each as much as 36 feet (11 metres) in length. Then click "Ravenala madagascariensis" The chromosome number is 2n = 22.

Range and habitat

''Ravenala madagascariensis'' is widespread in Madagascar, including humid lowland forests, montane forests, grassland, and rocky areas, from sea level to 1,500 meters elevation.

Ecology

Ruffed lemurs are a known

pollinator A pollinator is an animal that moves pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma of a flower. This helps to bring about fertilization of the ovules in the flower by the male gametes from the pollen grains. Insects are the m ...

of this plant, and given the size and structure of the

inflorescence An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Morphologically, it is the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are forme ...

s, as well as the lemur's selectivity, method of feeding, and long muzzle, this relationship is thought to have coevolved.

Cultivation

The plant requires a sunny spot (not full sun until it is larger). It responds well to fertiliser, especially if it is high in nitrogen during the growing season. This produces better growth and foliage. The plant grows to an average height of and requires moderate water.

Gallery

References

External links

Floridata.com: ''Ravenala madagascariensis''

Madacamp.com/Ravinala

University of Florida — ''Ravenala madagascariensis''
{{Taxonbar, from1=Q932196, from2=Q673348 Strelitziaceae Monotypic Zingiberales genera Endemic flora of Madagascar Flora of the Madagascar lowland forests Flora of the Madagascar subhumid forests Flora of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests Garden plants of Africa Ornamental trees