Traveler' Palm Bloom

I love the palms on Maui and especially the bloom on the Traveler's Palm.

The Traveler's Palm, also known as ‘Fan Palm' is not a palm at all (the trunk resembles a palm tree, hence the confusion) but it is one of the most recognizable trees in the tropics. It originates from Madagascar which is reflected in its botanical name, Ravenala madagascariensis. It is a member of the Strelitziaceae family, and therefore closely related to the Bird of Paradise .

The flowers, which can be as much as two feet in diameter, resemble those of the white Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), but they are green. The inflorescences will mature over the course of a growing season, shed their many small white-brown blooms, and then dry up. A fresh green flower stalk is VERY heavy with the water it contains, whereas the bloomed out flower is light, although full of yellow seedpods, which will burst open to reveal the absolutely striking lapis colored seeds.

Check out a few more photos on flickr...