Ravenala

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ravenala \Rav`e*na"la\ (r[a^]v`[-e]*n[aum]"l[.a]), n.
     [Malagasy.] (Bot.)
     A genus of plants related to the banana.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: {Ravenala Madagascariensis}, the principal species, is


           an unbranched tree with immense oarlike leaves growing
           alternately from two sides of the stem. The sheathing
           bases of the leafstalks collect and retain rain water,
           which flows freely when they are pierced with a knife,
           whence the plant is called {traveler's tree}.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  ravenala
       n : giant treelike plant having edible nuts and leafstalks that
           yield a refreshing drink of clear watery sap; reputedly
           an emergency source of water for travelers [syn: {traveler's
           tree}, {traveller's tree}, {Ravenala madagascariensis}]