Traveller’s Palm

Photo credit: Shi Biying

The Traveller’s Palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) is not a true palm. It belongs to the Strelitziaceae family and it is a close relative to the Bird of Paradise plant (Strelitzia reginae). Native to Madagascar, the Traveller’s Palm is popular in tropical landscapes because of its enormous leaves which are arranged in a fan shape.

It produces big, erect inflorescence like that of Heliconias. However, it seldom blooms in Singapore due to the wet weather. Its fruits are brown capsules, enclosing numerous seeds covered with bright blue arils.