traveler's tree

traveler's tree

plant
 (species Ravenala madagascariensis), plant of the family Strelitziaceae, so named because the water it accumulates in its leaf bases has been used in emergencies for drinking. This, the only Ravenala species, is native in Madagascar and cultivated around the world. The trunk resembles that of a palm tree and attains a height of more than 8 m (26 feet). At the top of the tree are banana-like leaves, with pale midribs that give a fanlike appearance. The leaves are 4 to 5 m long, and each leaf base, shaped like a huge cup, holds about 1 litre (about a quart) of rainwater. The large flower clusters contain white blossoms and light blue seeds.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Traveler's tree — Traveler Trav el*er, n. [Written also traveler.] 1. One who travels; one who has traveled much. [1913 Webster] 2. A commercial agent who travels for the purpose of receiving orders for merchants, making collections, etc. [1913 Webster] 3. (Mach.) …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • traveler's tree — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • traveler's-tree — | ̷ ̷( ̷ ̷) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun (plural traveler s trees) : a tree (Ravenala madagascariensis) of Madagascar having distichous leaves whose petioles contain large quantities of clear watery sap and yield a refreshing drink * * * /trav euh leuhrz tree …   Useful english dictionary

  • traveler's-tree — /trav euh leuhrz tree , trav leuhrz /, n. a bananalike tree, Ravenala madagascariensis, of Madagascar, having large leaves, the petioles of which contain a clear, watery sap. [1855 60] * * * …   Universalium

  • traveler's tree — noun 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: ↑traveller s tree, ↑ravenala, ↑Ravenala madagascariensis • Hypernyms:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Tree — /tree/, n. Sir Herbert Beerbohm /bear bohm/, (Herbert Beerbohm), 1853 1917, English actor and theater manager; brother of Max Beerbohm. * * * I Woody perennial plant. Most trees have a single self supporting trunk containing woody tissues, and in …   Universalium

  • Traveler — Trav el*er, n. [Written also traveler.] 1. One who travels; one who has traveled much. [1913 Webster] 2. A commercial agent who travels for the purpose of receiving orders for merchants, making collections, etc. [1913 Webster] 3. (Mach.) A… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Traveler's joy — Traveler Trav el*er, n. [Written also traveler.] 1. One who travels; one who has traveled much. [1913 Webster] 2. A commercial agent who travels for the purpose of receiving orders for merchants, making collections, etc. [1913 Webster] 3. (Mach.) …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tree — treelike, adj. /tree/, n., v., treed, treeing. n. 1. a plant having a permanently woody main stem or trunk, ordinarily growing to a considerable height, and usually developing branches at some distance from the ground. 2. any of various shrubs,… …   Universalium

  • traveler's palm — noun : traveler s tree …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”