Traveler’s Palm (Ravenala madagascariensis)

Native to Madagascar, the Traveler’s Palm is an unusual plant closely related to Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia). The central trunk is topped by fan-shaped, banana-like leaves that grow on thick leaf stalks. White flowers bloom in summer and give rise to unusual blue seeds. In its juvenile stage, the truck of the plant isn’t visible and the leaf fan sits on the ground until the truck develops. Although it can grow 20-30’ tall in southern zones, Traveler’s Palm can be maintained at 5-7’ tall in a large container.