What is "ravenala"

Ravenala \Rav`e*na"la\ (r[a^]v`[-e]*n[aum]"l[.a]), n. [Malagasy.] (Bot.) A genus of plants related to the banana.

Note: Ravenala Madagascariensis, the principal species, is an unbranched tree with immense oarlike leaves growing alternately from two sides of the stem. The sheathing bases of the leafstalks collect and retain rain water, which flows freely when they are pierced with a knife, whence the plant is called traveler's tree.

n. Any of the genus (taxlink Ravenala genus) of plants related to the banana.

n. giant treelike plant having edible nuts and leafstalks that yield a refreshing drink of clear watery sap; reputedly an emergency source of water for travelers [syn: traveler's tree, traveller's tree, Ravenala madagascariensis]

Ravenala is a genus of flowering plants with a single species, Ravenala madagascariensis, commonly known as traveller's tree or traveller's palm, from Madagascar. It is not a true palm (family Arecaceae) but a member of a monocotyledonous flowering plant family, Strelitziaceae. The genus is closely related to the southern African genus Strelitzia and the South American genus Phenakospermum. Some older classifications include these genera in the banana family ( Musaceae). Although it is usually considered to be a single species, four different forms have been distinguished.