Ravenala


Ravenala is a genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the Strelitziaceae plant family. Classically, the genus was considered to include a single species, Ravenala madagascariensis from Madagascar.

Taxonomy

Species of the genus Ravenala are not true palms but members of the family Strelitziaceae. The genus is closely related to the southern African genus Strelitzia and the South American genus Phenakospermum. Some older classifications include these genera in the banana family.

Etymology

The scientific name Ravenala comes from Malagasy ravinala or ravina ala meaning "forest leaves".

Species

Although formerly considered to be monotypic, four different forms have been distinguished. Five new species were described in 2021, all from Madagascar. The following species are currently recognised in the genus Ravenala: