Ravenala madagascariensis

This stunning palm is a member of the Bird of Paradise family! This is unsurprising to those who have seen its similarly shaped, white-ish flowers. Its common name comes from the particular shape and orientation of its fronds, each with a hollow section that holds rainwater, which may have been used as a source of drinking water for thirsty travelers throughout Madagascar. In addition, it often orients its fronds from North to South or vice versa, though it shouldn't be treated as a compass as this is not always the case! It can be container grown to minimize its size but fully mature, it tends to cluster like a banana tree. It reaches up to 50feet high in habitat but is often shorter when cultivated.