Ravenala madagascariensis (Travelers-Tree)
The traveler's palm is not a true palm. It is closely related to the plant “bird of paradise” (Strelitzia reginae).It hails from the island of Madagascar. Water often collects in its leaf bases, believed to reduce the thirst of jungle travelers. It has been described as being part banana plant and part palm tree. The thick, un-branched, palm-like stem is topped by a flat-planed, fan-shaped crown of leathery, banana-like green leaves. Traveler’s tree does not bloom until near maturity. A few flowers open at a time all summer long but are not particularly beautiful, and often cutoff when they appear. It is grown as single specimen creating a tropical effect. Cercospora leaf-spot is a very serious disease problem.
- Landscape Information
- Botanical Description
- Horticulture Management
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By Nolege (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Hans Bernhard (Schnobby) (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
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I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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French Name: Arbre du voyageur, Ravenale
Pronunciation: rav-eh-NAY-luh mad-uh-gas-kar-ee-EN-sis
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Plant type: Palm
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Origin: Madagascar
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Heat Zones: 10 to 15
Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
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Uses: Specimen
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Size/Shape
Growth Rate: Moderate
Tree Shape: Upright, Vase
Canopy Symmetry: Irregular
Canopy Density: Open
Canopy Texture: Coarse
Height at Maturity: 8 to 15 m
Spread at Maturity: 5 to 8 meters
Time to Ultimate Height: 10 to 20 Years
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Notes
It is perfect for special accent in tropical landscape.
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By Nolege (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Hans Bernhard (Schnobby) (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
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I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Foliage
Leaf Arrangement : Alternate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Persistance: Evergreen
Leaf Type: Simple
Leaf Blade: Over 80 cm
Leaf Margins: Entire
Leaf Texture: Glossy
Leaf Scent: No Fragance
Color(growing season): Green
Color(changing season): Green
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Flower
Flower Size Range: 10 - 20
Flower Type: Spike
Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)
Flower Scent: No Fragance
Flower Color: Yellow, White
Seasons: Spring, Summer
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Trunk
Trunk has Crownshaft: No
Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Generally resists breakage
Number of Trunks: Single Trunk
Trunk esthetic Values: Showy, Rough Texture
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Fruit
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Size Range: 1.5 - 3
Fruit Color: Brown
Seasons: Spring, Summer
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By Nolege (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Hans Bernhard (Schnobby) (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
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I, KENPEI [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Tolerance
Heat Tolerance: Yes
Salt Tolerance: Poor
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Requirements
Soil Requirements: Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Requirements: Acidic, Neutral
Water Requirements: Moderate
Light Requirements: Full
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Management
Toxicity: No
Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: Yes
Pruning Requirements: Needed, to develop a strong structure
Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No
Life Span: 25-50 years
Plant Propagation: Division