Ravenala madagascariensis SEEDS

Ravenala madagascariensis seeds grow into the traveller’s tree one of the most iconic and architecturally spectacular plants in the world, native to the seasonally dry tropical biome of eastern and south-eastern Madagascar, where it is a defining symbol of the island depicted on the national coat of arms. Despite the common name, it is NOT a true palm but a member of Strelitziaceae the family of the South African bird of paradise (Strelitzia). The huge, paddle-shaped leaves are arranged in a strict, flat, fan-like plane; the leaf bases form a reservoir that collects and stores rainwater, giving rise to the ‘traveller’ tradition of tapping the leaf bases for water. The seeds are enveloped in a vivid turquoise-blue aril one of the most extraordinary seed colours in the plant kingdom. Recent taxonomic work (2021) has described five new Ravenala species from Madagascar, fixing R. madagascariensis to the eastern coastal populations. Family Strelitziaceae.

Full sun; warm, humid tropical conditions; adaptable to a range of soils; one of the most spectacular architectural tropical plants available. Seeds have blue arils; germination can be slow.

• Huge fan-like leaf arrangement in a strict flat plane the defining visual character
• Leaf bases store water the ‘traveller’s’ water source tradition
• E. & SE. Madagascar seasonally dry tropical biome; the national symbol of Madagascar
• NOT a palm family Strelitziaceae; seeds with vivid turquoise-blue arils
• Full sun; warm tropical conditions; one of the world’s most spectacular architectural plants

Ravenala madagascariensis is one of the world’s most iconic plants the traveller’s tree’s extraordinary fan architecture, water-storing leaf bases, turquoise-blue seeds and deep cultural significance as the symbol of Madagascar make it one of the most sought-after tropical ornamental plants for warm climate collections worldwide.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.