General Plant Information (Edit)
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 10a -1.1 °C (30 °F) to +1.7 °C (35 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: 30 to 60 feet (9-18m)
Fruit: Showy
Flower Color: White
Bloom Size: 6"-12"
Flower Time: Other: Year round
Suitable Locations: Patio/Ornamental/Small Tree
Propagation: Other methods: Offsets
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots

Image
Common names
  • Travelers Palm
  • Fan Plantain
  • Traveler Banana
  • Travellers Tree

Photo Gallery
Location: Monte Verde, Costa Rica | Old Photo
Date: 2022-12-20
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Date: November 1996
Location: National Botanical Garden (DC) | November 2022
Date: 2022-11-26

Date: 2014-12-31
Illustration from 'Wonders of the Vegetable World', 1896
Location: Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: Southwest Florida
Date: December 2012
closeup of the startlingly blue seeds inside the open seedpods
Location: Denver Botanical Garden
Date: 2021-07-07
Location: Ka'anapali, Maui, Hawaii
Date: 2012-10-05
Location: Southwest Florida
Date: summer 2010
this bloom is appr. 18-24 inches in diameter and very heavy!
Location: Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: Miami, FL
Date: 2013-12
Crandon Park
Location: Southwest Florida
Date: December 2012
Open seedpods inside the dried up bloom
Location: Jardim do Grottes de Sao Vicente - Madeira
Date: 2023-04-17
Location: Nice park garden
Date: 2019-04-20
A slightly roughed up plant
Location: Ka'anapali, Maui, Hawaii
Date: 10/05/12
Notice the remains of previous \"birds\" below these.
Location: Southwest Florida
Date: summer 2006
This makes a striking landscape tree.
Location: Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: Denver Botanical Garden
Date: 2021-07-07
Location: sarasota florida
Date: 2022-08-15
three years old from a 3 gallon pot
Location: Denver Botanical Garden
Date: 2021-07-07
Location: Southwest Florida
Date: December 2012
the dried up bloom, containing the seedpods

photo credit: H. Zell
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Date: 2015-10-31
Location: Frisco TX
Date: 2013-03-07
1 year old plant from seed, 24\" tall, in a 4\" pot
Location: Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: Southwest Florida
Date: August 2016
two emerging flower buds can just be seen between the stalks

photo credit: H. Zell

photo credit: H. Zell
Comments:
  • Posted by flaflwrgrl (North Fl. - Zone 8b) on Sep 29, 2011 8:17 PM concerning plant:
    Contrary to poular belief this tree does not grow in one direction either east to west oor north to south. They will grow any which way they please. They sucker PROFUSELY! And the suckers are not easy to dig out as they are quite deep --- longer than your arm; which makes it very difficult to keep the palm to a single specimen. The flower stalk is monstrously heavy & while the blooms are on it, it exudes a clear gel-type substance which will stain any masonry it gets on a nasty rusty orange color. I have found nothing that will remove the stain, so be forewarned not to let any of the gel drip onto any masonry. The fronds take a real beating from high winds & become easily shredded. Because the fronds grow in a fan shape, it also does not hold up to the winds of tropical storms & hurricanes well & is likely to lean or blow completely over. If dead flower stalks or fronds are left to brown on the tree they become extremely tough & are difficult to even saw off.
  • Posted by pniksch (Garden Grove CA - Zone 10a) on Mar 11, 2013 10:14 AM concerning plant:
    Removed blue fuzz from seed, then soaked them for 24 hours before planting. 4-8 weeks to germinate. Slow growing the first year, then it really gets going!
Discussion Threads about this plant
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Beautiful! by plantladylin Oct 29, 2012 4:06 PM 4
Interesting, unusual ... and great color! by SongofJoy Dec 9, 2012 5:04 PM 2
Are you certain this is Giant BOP? by plantladylin May 5, 2019 6:54 PM 1

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