Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Ravenala"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Ravenala \Rav`e*na"la\, n. [Malagasy.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants related to the banana.
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 {traveller's tree}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (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}]
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