The Traveller’s Palm is not a palm, but a forest leaf from Madagascar.

Gardening · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Often mistaken for a palm, the iconic Ravenala is actually a distant relative of the banana and the bird-of-paradise flower. Its name, derived from the Malagasy term for forest leaves, hides a complex botanical history that has only recently been fully unraveled by researchers studying its diverse forms.

The Ravenala genus has long been a subject of botanical debate. While it was traditionally classified as a monotypic genus containing only the species Ravenala madagascariensis, modern research has significantly expanded our understanding of these plants. Far from being true palms, which belong to the Arecaceae family, Ravenala belongs to the Strelitziaceae family. This places it in close evolutionary proximity to the South American Phenakospermum and the southern African Strelitzia, with some older taxonomic systems even grouping them alongside the banana family, Musaceae.

The classification of these plants underwent a major shift in 2021. Researchers described five new species, all originating from Madagascar, challenging the long-held belief that the genus consisted of only one type. Today, the genus is recognized as far more diverse, with distinct forms such as Ravenala blancii, Ravenala grandis, and Ravenala hladikorum now formally distinguished. This evolution in taxonomy highlights how much remains to be discovered about the flora of Madagascar, the plant's native home.

Beyond its scientific classification, the plant is widely known by common names like the traveller's tree or traveller's palm. It is cultivated across tropical regions, thriving at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1,600 meters. Its presence is so significant that it even lends its name to other endemic species, such as the Ravenala Day Gecko, demonstrating the plant's role as a cornerstone of its ecosystem. Whether viewed through the lens of its complex genetic history or its widespread tropical cultivation, the Ravenala remains a fascinating study in botanical misidentification and recent discovery.

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