Traveler's Palm Tree

To Be a Palm or Not to be a Palm? That Is the Question.

Although the traveller is often referred to as a palm, it is not a true palm. The striking, exotic traveller is more of a plant closer in appearance to the bird of paradise, and is absolutely stunning. A native to Madagascar, the ravenala madagascariensis, or traveller, can make a beautiful impression in any room.

Real life travellers are known to grow up to 40 inches tall, while the big banana-like leaves can grow up to 15 inches long. The leaves are arranged in a fan-shaped manner, and the palm-like trunk (hence, why it's often confused as a palm) is rather short. Small white flowers are held in bracts. The fruits are brown and the seeds are blue. Silk versions are more likely to be around 3-5 feet in height and focus more on the leaves than the fruits or seeds.

A Conversation Starter

It's hard to tell the difference between an artificial traveller silk palm tree and the real thing. Manufacturers have gone to great lengths to mimic the details from the trunk to the stems to the leaves. Some are made with a semi-soft latex material, getting as close to nature as possible. The traveller is a remarkable plant with its unique shape and is ready to give life to just about any environment it's placed in. Be sure to keep it indoors for a longer lifespan.