Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn.

An evergreen shrub. It grows to 10-16 m high and spreads to 3-6 m across. The stem is erect, formed by the bases of the old leaves. It is palm like. The leaves are arranged in 2 opposite rows on long leaf stalks which form sheaths around the stem. They are 5 m long, are closely overlapping and open like fans. They are paddle shaped. The flowers are white and have 3 petals. They occur in long spikes and have boat shaped bracts in the axils. The fruit capsules contain seeds with a bright blue seed covering (aril). The seeds are edible.

It is a tropical plant. It does best in rich, moist soil. It needs a protected, sunny, warm position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It grows from sea level to 1,000 m altitude in Madagascar. It needs a temperature above 16-18°C. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

The fat found in the fleshy layer around the seeds is used in cooking. Sugary sap is extracted from the trunk. The seeds are eaten. A kind of flour is made from them. There is watery sap in the enlarged leaf bases.

Plants can be grown from seed or by division of suckers. Seeds grow slowly.