Ravenala madagascariensis

"Ravenala madagascariensis" is a species of plant from Madagascar. It is not a true palm but a member of the bird-of-paradise family, Strelitziaceae. "Ravenala madagascariensis" is the sole member of its genus, and 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.