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Ravenea spp.
Overview
Ravenea spp. is a genus of about twenty feather-leaved palms in the family Arecaceae, native to Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, with Ravenea rivularis widely grown as the majesty palm. Plants have a single, unbranched trunk that ranges from 6 to 100 feet (2-30 m) tall across the genus, swollen at the base in some species and ringed with old leaf scars. The crown carries arching pinnate fronds 5-15 feet (1.5-4.5 m) long, each with many narrow leaflets in a flat or slightly V-shaped arrangement; old fronds bend down and shed cleanly. The palms are dioecious, with separate male and female plants bearing branched flower clusters among the lower leaves, followed on female plants by red to orange fruits about 0.4-0.8 inch (1-2 cm) wide, each holding a single seed. Growth is slow to moderate and trunks take many years to gain height. Most species need warmth and steady moisture and are damaged by frost. Ravenea rivularis grows along rivers and tolerates wet soil, while several mountain species withstand cooler conditions. Several species are rare in the wild and restricted to small areas.
Native Range
Ravenea spp. is native to Madagascar, with one species on the Comoro Islands. Species grow in habitats from lowland riverbanks and swamp forest to humid montane forest, from sea level to about 6,500 feet (2,000 m). Several species have small, declining wild populations and are considered threatened.Suggested Uses
Grown as a single-trunk specimen and shade palm in frost-free gardens, and widely kept as a container and indoor plant in cooler climates, set 6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 m) apart in the ground. Ravenea rivularis is used beside ponds and streams where its tolerance of wet soil applies. Container plants are moved outdoors in summer and back under cover before frost.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 100'
Width/Spread8' - 20'
Bloom Information
Flowering time varies by species and climate and often falls in the warmer months. Branched clusters of small yellowish flowers open among the lower fronds on separate male and female plants. Female plants then carry red to orange fruits that ripen over several months.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow to creamFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Most species grow in warm, frost-free conditions in full sun to part shade on moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Ravenea rivularis tolerates wet ground and grows with steady water and humidity, while drying out browns the leaflet tips. Cold below about 30 F (-1 C) damages the foliage of tender species, and hard frost kills them. Indoors, plants need bright light, regular watering, and protection from dry, heated air that invites spider mites. Slow nutrient uptake makes magnesium and potassium deficiencies show as yellowing or spotting on older fronds. Repotting or planting out is done as the root system fills its space.Pruning
Remove fronds only once they are fully brown, cutting close to the trunk without cutting into it. Green fronds left in place feed the palm, and over-trimming weakens growth. Spent flower and fruit stalks can be cut away after they dry.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons