Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn. (STRELITZIACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Traveller's Palm, Pisang Kipas

Description

Large clustering shrub up to 20 m tall. Trunk woody with characteristic leaf-scar rings with fan-like crown. Leaves paddle-shaped, 2.5-4 m long, 80-150 cm wide with stout long petioles. Flowers produced in spicate inflorescences in axils of leaves. Fruits brown woody, 3-lobed capsule; seeds covered with glossy blue and hairy aril.

Ecology

Rain forest in sheltered, warm and wet areas near the coast to elevations of 450 m. In its native habitat, ruffled lemurs are a known pollinator of this plant. It rarely flowers in Malaysia, due to our aseasonal climate.

Distribution

Madagascar.

Uses

Often planted as an ornamental. Seeds are edible.