Rav·e·na·la n.  Bot. A genus of plants related to the banana.
 Note: ☞ Ravenala Madagascariensis, the principal species, is an unbranched tree with immense oarlike leaves growing alternately from two sides of the stem. The sheathing bases of the leafstalks collect and retain rain water, which flows freely when they are pierced with a knife, whence the plant is called traveler's tree.

 ◄ ►


 Trav·el·er n.
 1. One who travels; one who has traveled much.
 2. A commercial agent who travels for the purpose of receiving orders for merchants, making collections, etc.
 3. Mach. A traveling crane. See under Crane.
 4. Spinning The metal loop which travels around the ring surrounding the bobbin, in a ring spinner.
 5. Naut. An iron encircling a rope, bar, spar, or the like, and sliding thereon.
 Traveler's joy Bot., the Clematis vitalba, a climbing plant with white flowers.
 Traveler's tree. Bot. See Ravenala.

 ◄ ►


 traveler's tree
      n : giant treelike plant having edible nuts and leafstalks that
          yield a refreshing drink of clear watery sap; reputedly
          an emergency source of water for travelers [syn: {traveller's
          tree, ravenala, Ravenala madagascariensis]