Traveller's Tree is a large flowering tree with a palm-like trunk and leaves resembling a fan. It is native to Madagascar and in the ginger family. In 10 or 20 years after planting, it can reach heights of 30 to 50 feet in its native habitat. The unbranched trunk is topped by large, banana-like leaves and white flowers resembling Bird of Paradise. Initially, the trunk of this plant is subterranean and the fan of leaves sit on the ground. As the tree matures, the trunk appears and lengthens and leaf scar rings form on the trunk as the lower leaves drop. The genus name comes from the native name in Madagascar. The species name means of Madagascar. Plant in organically rich, moderately moist, well-drained loam in full sun in an area protected from strong winds. It is not winter hardy and does not tolerate temperatures below 40 degrees F; however, in those areas, it can be grown in a greenhouse - keeping in mind the eventual size of the tree. Propagate this pant by seed or division. It will develop root suckers or offsets that, if not removed, will cause the plant to lose its tree-like form. The water that is stored in the leaf bases may enable it to withstand dry conditions. This tree is often too large for home landscapes, but may find a home in parks or other large landscapes. It could also be grown outdoors in large containers where the container can control the tree's size; however, it would still be difficult to overwinter the plant indoors. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Strong winds can shred leaves.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet; 24-60 feet
Mature size
Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in. | Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Broad; Erect
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Other/more complex
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Huge leaves form a fan shape topping the unbranched trunk with a single plane of 20 to 30 long-stalked, banana-like, deep green leaves. Each leaf is 5 to 10 feet long and 2 to 3 feet wide. Leaf margins are sometimes split. Cup-shaped petioles collect rain-water hence the common name, as it was thought travelers used this water.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Good Dried; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
Showy 3-petaled 6 to 12 inch white flowers in cymes rise from boat-shaped spathes similar to bird-of-paradise. Flowers bloom in summer and sporadically throughout the rest of the year.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
> 3 inches long
Fruit detail
Woody capsules 3 1/2 inches long with edible seeds covered by bright blue arils (fleshy thickening of the seed coat).
Bark detail
12" diameter unbranched trunk with leaf scar rings.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Eastern and Southeastern Madagascar
Distribution
Introduced to parts of Mexico and to Bangladesh. Also grown in Southern Florida and California.