Review of the Traveller's Palm - Dylan

Ravenala madagascariensis (also known as the traveller's palm) is a flowering plant indigenous to Madagascar. Even though it's technically not a palm, it's known as the traveller's palm because the bases of its leaves can hold rainwater that a thirsty traveller might drink. In reality, the water would probably not be potable because of mosquito larvae and miscellaneous debris. Despite this the traveller's palm is a symbol of travel in Madagascar and is featured on the Air Madagascar logo.

The emblem of Madagascar also bears a resemblance to the plant.

It has been widely exported and can be an invasive plant in other tropical climates. Because it can reproduce via pollination as well as vegetatively, it's fairly hardy and can grow well outside of Madagascar. It's popular because of its characteristic inflorescences and its resemblance to birds of paradise.

The endangered ruffed lemur is its key pollinator in Madagascar, and it's possible that the ruffed lemur and the traveller's palm coevolved.