Family: Strelitziaceae
Common Name: Traveller's Palm

Native to Madagascar, but now widely grown throughout the tropics, the only species in this genus is most distinctive. It is a medium-sized, tree-like plant with a short trunk, the huge leaves on long stalks spreading like a fan from the trunk. Clusters of white flowers are freely produced from the leaf bases, in summer.

Species

R. madagascariensis, the only species, has acquired the common name, 'traveller's palm', because the water collected in the base of the boat-shaped leaves has sometimes been used as emergency drinking water by travellers in countries where these remarkable plants are grown. Despite the common name, it is totally unrelated to the palm. It grows to 9-12 m (30-40 ft) tall, with leaves up to 4 m (13 ft) long held on overlapping long stalks, and bears a few, white flowers in summer. The fruit is a capsule, containing seeds which have a fleshy, bright blue coat.

Cultivation

This foliage plant likes rich, moist conditions and a minimum winter temperature of 16°-18°C (61°-64°F). Outside the tropics, grow in a warm greenhouse or conservatory, in a large pot or tub of soil-based potting compost. Provide maximum light and a humid atmosphere. Propagate in spring, from seed germinated at 21°C (70°F), or from rooted suckers.

Climate

Tropical.