Photograph of Travelers Palm or Traveler's Tree (Ravenala madagascariensis)

Not a true palm, but a striking plant that can grow more than 30 ft. outdoors in the tropical and subtropical regions. It gets it's name from the fact that the leaves fan out in on orderly fashion from east to west to obtain maximum exposure to sunlight, thus, providing a directional indicator for travelers. Thirsty travelers find water in the plant's flower bracts and leaf folds. The plant has a trunk like a palm with large erect bananalike leaves arranged in a fan shape. Can be grown indoors, and in greenhouses where size is restricted by the container in which it is growing. This plant will require a lot of overhead light, especially when grown indoors. Soil should be rich, moist and loamy, and plant should be fed monthly with a commercial tropical plant food, or a plant food specifically formulated for palms.

These photographs were taken at Kohn Conservatory in Eden Park, Cincinnati, Ohio in May, 1999.

Winter hardy in sones 9 - 11.