Though not native to Bangladesh, the Traveler’s Palm, locally known as Panthapadap, has become a familiar and cherished ornamental plant in gardens and urban landscapes worldwide.
Known for its striking, fan-like arrangement, it adds an exotic flair to any setting. The plant’s base stores water, a feature that once helped wandering travelers, inspiring its Bengali name, Pantha, meaning “traveler,” and Padap, meaning “tree.”
Ravenala madagascariensis, a scientific name, appears like a banana plant but is actually from Madagascar. It belongs to the Strelitziaceae family, which also includes the bird of paradise plant.
Though it has a distinctive resemblance to the banana plant, a closer look reveals several differences.
Its leaves fanned out like a peacock’s tail, give it an iconic look, yet its trunk is firm, more akin to a palm or areca tree than the soft stem of a banana plant.
The entire tree resembles an enormous hand fan, easily spotted in places around Cox’s Bazar, where it enhances the tropical landscape.
By Mohammad Morshed
