Traveller's Tree
To the delight of thirsty travellers, the tree's large leaves gather rainwater.
Traveller’s Tree is so named because the large leafsheaths store rainwater. The water was drunk by thirsty travellers, who drilled holes in the leafsheath and tapped the water.
Something similar can be done with many large bamboo species that collect water in the segments of their stems.
Traveller’s tree is closely related to the bird of paradise plant, which you can find in the South Africa section in the Mediterranean House.
Fully grown leaves of traveller’s tree can reach a length of 3.5 m. The stem can reach 10-20 m in height.
The flowers of the traveller’s tree are very special in that they are pollinated by a species of lemur, considered the world's largest pollinator.
Facts:
- Greenhouse location: Tropical house
- Danish name: Rejsendes træ
- Latin name: Ravenala madagascariensis
- Family: Strelitzia family / Strelitziaceae
- Natural habitat: Madagascar