Traveler's Palm
Ravenala madagascariensis
Also known as: Traveller's Tree, Ravenala, East-West Palm, Fan Palm
Iconic 2D fan-form specimen from Madagascar. The signature plant of resort tropical aesthetic across PH hospitality. Sourced at 6-7 ft and 8-9 ft tiers for entrance landscapes, pool-deck statement plantings, and HNW residential focal points. Not a true palm — Strelitziaceae, related to Bird of Paradise.
Pricing Guide (per specimen)
| Size / Spec | Price (PHP) |
|---|---|
| 6-7 ft | ₱3,500 |
| 8-9 ft | ₱6,500 |
Volume Discounts
- 5–15 specimens:5%
- 16–50 specimens:8-10%
- 51+ specimens:Project-specific pricing
Pricing reflects accumulated cultivation time and the development of the characteristic 2D fan form. Multi-stem clumps (multiple specimens grown together) cost more than single-stem specimens of equivalent height. Delivery, planting, and 30-day establishment service quoted separately. Mature specimens above 12 ft sourced on project request.
Request Project Quote →About Traveler's Palm
Ravenala madagascariensis, the Traveler's Palm, is a large evergreen herbaceous monocot native to eastern and southeastern Madagascar.[^1] Despite the common name, it is not a true palm — the species is in the Strelitziaceae family, related to Bird of Paradise.[^2] The signature feature is the distinctive flat 2D fan formed by long banana-like fronds arranged in a single plane, a silhouette essentially unique among landscape plants. Specified across PH hospitality and HNW residential projects as the iconic 'tropical resort' statement specimen. Wind sensitivity is a real consideration in PH typhoon-belt placements.
Common Applications
- Resort and hotel entrance specimen. Single specimen or matched pair flanking porte-cochère and arrival driveways. The 2D fan is most readable when sited against open sky or a clean architectural backdrop.
- HNW residential focal point. Premium garden anchor at residential entrances and primary view corridors. Specimen placement, not mass planting.
- Pool deck and water-feature backdrop. Sited 5+ m back from pool edge as a statement backdrop. The 2D fan reads against open sky and provides a vertical accent without obstructing pool circulation.
- Boutique resort signature plantings. Used as the visual anchor in property branding for tropical resort, beach club, and destination spa landscapes.
- Iconic tropical hospitality master plans. Specified in property design phase as a signature plant for properties marketing the tropical-resort aesthetic in Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Palawan, and Tagaytay.
Where You'll See It
- Boutique resort entrances in Boracay, Bohol, Palawan, and El Nido
- HNW residential gardens in Forbes Park, Dasmariñas Village, and Ayala Alabang
- Hotel arrival landscapes in BGC, Makati, and Cebu
- Tagaytay residential and resort properties
- Beach club and destination spa landscapes
- Country club and exclusive subdivision focal point installations
Why Architects Choose It
- Unique 2D fan form — essentially no other landscape plant produces this silhouette at scale
- Iconic 'tropical resort' brand association — instant recognition for hospitality projects
- Salt-spray-buffered placement (not direct beachfront) extends placement to most coastal sites
- Pool-safe at 5 m setback; no significant litter and clean fan habit
- Same Strelitziaceae family as Bird of Paradise — flowers similar large white three-petalled blooms
- Moderate growth rate develops the signature form in 5-6 years from sourced 6-7 ft tier
Project Types Best Suited
- Boutique resort and hotel landscapes
- HNW residential gardens
- Pool-deck and water-feature accent plantings
- Country club and exclusive subdivision focal points
- Iconic tropical hospitality master plans
- Destination spa and beach club entrance landscapes
Specifications
- Botanical name
- Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn.
- Family
- Strelitziaceae (NOT Arecaceae — not a true palm despite the name)
- Genus
- Ravenala (historically monotypic; expanded to 6 species in 2021)
- Native range
- Eastern and Southeastern Madagascar
- Status in PH
- Introduced ornamental
- Habit
- Large evergreen herbaceous monocot with single palm-like trunk and crown of fronds in a single plane
- Sourced heights
- 6-7 ft, 8-9 ft
- Mature size in cultivation
- 30-50 ft (9-15 m) tall, 15-25 ft (4.5-7.5 m) wide
- Distinctive feature
- Fronds arranged in a single plane forming a flat 2D fan silhouette
- Leaves
- 20-30 long-stalked banana-like blades, 5-10 ft long, 2-3 ft wide
- Flowers
- Large white three-petalled blooms 6-12 inches across (Bird of Paradise relative); primary summer bloom, sporadic year-round
- Fruit
- Woody capsules with seeds wrapped in bright blue fleshy arils
- 'Traveler' name origin
- Leaf bases hold rainwater; legend claims travelers can drink from the plant. The water reservoir is real but turbid; not a primary water source. Malagasy name 'ravina ala' means 'forest leaves.'
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hours daily)
- Water
- Moderate to high; consistent moisture preferred
- Soil
- Organically rich loam with good drainage; tolerates acid, neutral, or alkaline pH
- Salt tolerance
- Limited; not a direct beachfront specimen. Suited to coastal gardens with windbreak buffer.
- Wind tolerance
- Weak. Fronds shred along lateral veins in heavy wind, producing tattered look. Important for PH typhoon-belt placements.
- Hardiness
- USDA 10a-11b; thrives across all PH lowland and elevated climates
- Pet safe
- No major toxicity reported; not on ASPCA toxic-plant list. Bristly leaf-base sheaths can cause minor mechanical skin irritation during installation; wear gloves.
- Pool safe
- Yes at 5 m setback. Mature fan spread up to 7.5 m wide — site as a backdrop, not directly poolside.
Traveler’s Palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) Specimen Supplier
Ravenala madagascariensis, the Traveler’s Palm or Traveller’s Tree, is one of the most architecturally distinctive specimens in tropical landscape design. The signature flat 2D fan form is essentially unique among large landscape plants and makes the species the iconic “tropical resort” specification across PH hospitality and HNW residential projects.
Important Botanical Note: Not a True Palm
Despite the common name, Ravenala madagascariensis is not a true palm.1 The species belongs to the Strelitziaceae family, related to Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise). The palm-like single trunk and fan-shaped foliage are visual coincidence, not shared ancestry with true palms (Arecaceae).
The distinction matters for cultivation: Traveler’s Palm prefers richer organic soil and more consistent moisture than most true palms. Site preparation should account for this difference.
The 2D Fan Form
The signature feature is the arrangement of fronds in a single plane, producing a flat fan silhouette rather than the radial crown of true palms.1 This arrangement is unique among large landscape plants and is the visual basis for the species’ specification across resort and high-end residential briefs.
The fan develops as the trunk lifts the crown — young specimens have a more shrub-like cluster habit, while specimens with visible trunk display the iconic 2D fan from key viewing angles.
Pricing Tiers
The two height tiers reflect cultivation time:
- 6-7 ft specimen — approximately 3-4 years of cultivation. Trunk just beginning to lift the crown; 2D fan partially developed. ₱3,500
- 8-9 ft specimen — approximately 5-6 years of cultivation. Visible trunk; full 2D fan readable from primary view angles. ₱6,500
The premium between tiers reflects 1.5-2 additional years of nursery space, irrigation, and form development required to push the plant past the “shrub-like cluster” stage into a sculptural specimen.
For mature 12 ft+ specimens, sourcing is project-specific and quoted separately.
Native Range
Per Plants of the World Online (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), Ravenala madagascariensis is native to eastern and southeastern Madagascar.2 In 2021, taxonomy was updated when five additional Madagascan Ravenala species were described, expanding the genus from monotypic to six species.1 R. madagascariensis remains the species in widespread cultivation.
Wind Tolerance: Important for PH Sites
Fronds shred along their lateral veins in heavy wind, producing a tattered post-storm appearance that takes months to recover as new fronds emerge.3 For PH typhoon-belt sites — particularly Visayas and Northern Luzon coastal locations — siting with windbreak buffer is critical:
- Locate behind tall planting buffers, walls, or building corners
- Avoid exposed coastal corners and wind-funnel locations
- Accept that post-typhoon appearance will be diminished; new fronds emerge through wet season
For sheltered urban courtyards and garden focal points, wind sensitivity is rarely an issue.
Salt and Coastal Placement
NCSU does not specifically rate salt tolerance, but published cultivation references treat the species as low to moderate salt tolerance — suited to coastal gardens with windbreak buffer, not direct beachfront splash zones. For beachfront placements, Cycas revoluta (sago palm) or coconut are stronger choices.
Landscape Use in the Philippines
Common deployments:
- Resort and hotel entrance specimens at porte-cochère and arrival driveways
- HNW residential focal points at primary view corridors
- Pool deck and water-feature backdrops at 5 m setback
- Boutique resort signature plantings as the visual anchor in property branding
- Country club and exclusive subdivision focal point installations
Why Specify Traveler’s Palm
Unique 2D fan form. No other landscape plant at this scale produces the flat fan silhouette.
Iconic tropical association. Instant brand recognition for hospitality and resort properties.
Bird of Paradise relative. Same Strelitziaceae family produces large white three-petalled blooms similar to its more compact cousin.
Pool-safe at 5 m setback. Clean foliage, no significant fruit drop, non-aggressive roots at landscape scale.
Moderate growth rate. Develops the signature form in 5-6 years from a 6-7 ft sourced specimen.
Sources
Footnotes
-
Wikipedia contributors. “Ravenala madagascariensis.” Wikipedia. Accessed 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravenala_madagascariensis ↩ ↩2 ↩3
-
Plants of the World Online (POWO), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. “Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn.” Accessed 2026. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60466138-2 ↩
-
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox. “Ravenala madagascariensis.” North Carolina State University. Accessed 2026. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ravenala-madagascariensis/ ↩
Sourcing & Supply
Origin
Sourced from established Luzon palm growers who have cultivated Ravenala madagascariensis for the resort and HNW residential trade. The 6-7 ft and 8-9 ft tiers represent specimens grown out for 3-6 years to develop the characteristic 2D fan form.
Supplier Relationship
Working relationships with growers maintaining Ravenala stock at multiple height tiers. Premium 12 ft+ specimens sourced through grower network on project request.
Quality Control
Each specimen inspected for trunk caliper, fan symmetry, frond integrity, and crown character. We avoid wind-shredded specimens; transport and pre-install handling minimize frond damage. 30-day establishment guarantee covers nursery-side issues.
How to Order
- 1
Inquiry to Quote
Send us your specs and project size. We respond with a project-specific quote within 24 hours.
- 2
Site Visit / Spec Confirmation
For larger projects, we coordinate a site visit or spec call to confirm requirements.
- 3
Order Confirmation + Deposit
50% deposit confirms your order. Established institutional accounts may qualify for net terms.
- 4
Production / Sourcing & Delivery
We coordinate sourcing, production, and delivery. Final payment due on delivery.
- Response time
- We respond within 4 business hours.
- Payment terms
- 50/50 standard. Net terms available for established institutional accounts.
- Documentation
- Sales Invoice, Delivery Receipt, COA-compliant documentation on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Traveler's Palm cost in the Philippines?
Specimens at 6-7 ft retail at ₱3,500; 8-9 ft specimens retail at ₱6,500. Pricing reflects accumulated cultivation time — the 2D fan form develops over years, not months. Multi-stem clumps cost more than single-stem specimens of equivalent height. Mature 12 ft+ specimens are sourced through grower network on project request and quoted separately. Delivery and crane installation quoted separately.
Is Traveler's Palm actually a palm?
No. Despite the common name, Ravenala madagascariensis is not a true palm. It belongs to the Strelitziaceae family — same family as Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise). The fan-shaped foliage and single tall trunk give the visual impression of a palm. The botanical distinction matters for cultivation: Traveler's Palm prefers richer organic soil and more consistent moisture than most true palms.
Why is it called Traveler's Palm?
The leaf bases hold significant rainwater that legend says travelers can drink. The reservoir is real (the Malagasy name 'ravina ala' means 'forest leaves'), and the water storage is the basis for the species' moderate drought tolerance. Practically, the water is turbid and not a primary drinking source, but the legend gave the species its English common name.
Where does the unique 2D fan come from?
The fronds are arranged in a single plane on either side of the trunk, producing a flat fan rather than the radial crown of true palms. The arrangement is unique among large landscape plants and makes Traveler's Palm one of the most architecturally distinctive specimens available.
Will Traveler's Palm survive typhoons?
Specimens survive typhoons but the foliage suffers. Fronds shred along their lateral veins in heavy wind, producing a tattered look that takes months to recover as new fronds emerge. For typhoon-prone coastal sites in Visayas and Northern Luzon, site with windbreak buffer (other tall plantings, walls, or building corners) and accept that post-storm appearance will be diminished. New fronds emerge through the wet season.
How fast does Traveler's Palm grow?
Moderate. From a sourced 6-7 ft specimen, expect 1-2 ft of vertical growth per year in PH lowland conditions with full sun and consistent moisture. The 2D fan develops with trunk lift over 3-5 years; mature 30+ ft specimens take 12-15 years from sourcing.
Is it pool safe?
Yes at 5 m setback. The plant has clean foliage with no significant fruit drop and a non-aggressive root system. The setback requirement is for the mature 7.5 m fan spread — site as a backdrop or framing element behind the pool deck rather than directly poolside. Multiple specimens at corners or paired flanking the pool work well.
How big does it get?
30-50 ft (9-15 m) tall and 15-25 ft (4.5-7.5 m) wide at maturity in PH conditions. The fan spread can exceed 25 ft on mature specimens. Plan placement carefully — Traveler's Palm is a signature specimen, not a hedge or screen plant. Underplant low to keep the trunk and fan visible.
What is the establishment guarantee?
If a properly-installed specimen (planted by us or per our written planting protocol) fails within 30 days due to nursery-side issues such as root ball damage, undisclosed disease, or transport stress, we provide a free replacement at the same tier. Failures from improper post-planting care, weather events (including typhoon damage), or site drainage issues are not covered.
Ready to spec Traveler's Palm for your project?
Send us your project details. We respond within 4 business hours.