Ravenala madagascariensis

• Botanical Name : Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn.
• Synonyms : Urania madagascariensis (Sonn.) Raeusch., Urania speciosa Willd.
• Common Name : Traveller's Tree
• Common Name Details :

  It is commonly called Traveller's Tree because the rain water which slips along the sheath of the sheets accumulates at their base and makes it possible to the traveler to be refreshed.

• Plant Family : Musaceae
• Plant Form : Tree
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 23
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park, Punit Van, Van Chetana Kendra

About Ravenala madagascariensis Plant :

• Habit : A tall palm-like tree herbaceous plant.
• Leaves :
  • Large and arranged on two opposite sides (distichous) forming a fan-shaped crown on the top, petioles very long, blade oblong.
  • The leaves are more or less similar to that of banana plant with long petiole and parallel veined, broad long lamina, arranged closely alternate on the stem tip, radiating in one plane, making unique appearance of its flat crown.
• Inflorescence : Spadix
• Flowers :
  • Many, white, large in the form of spadix in the axils of upper leaves, subtended by lare boat-shaped spathes or bracts.
  • Sepals 3, keeled, petals 3, long, unequal.
  • Stamens 5 with one rudimentary staminode.
  • Carpels 6 united, ovary inferior.
• Fruit : Capsule 6-valved, seeds many, blue.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : September - November
• Significance : Highly ornamental palm, often cultivated in the centre of a garden.