Ravenea is a genus of 20 known species of palms, all native to Madagascar and the Comoros.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families It is not to be confused with Ravenala, a genus of superficially palm-like plants also from Madagascar.
They are small to large, dioecious palms, with solitary, robust grey stems, swollen at base and gradually tapering upward. The species vary greatly in size, with R. hildebrandtii and R. nana only reaching 4 m, while R. robustior and R. sambiranensis both reach 30 m. The leaves are up to 2–5 m long, pinnately compound, reduplicate, erect at first then arching, twisted near the apex; with numerous crowded narrow ribbed leaflets. The inflorescence is short, borne among the leaves; the fruit is a red drupe.Govaerts, R. & Dransfield, J. (2005). World Checklist of Palms: 1-223. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. One particular species, Ravenea rivularis, is commonly cultivated as a houseplant and grown indoors all over the world. However, it is actually considered a vulnerable species in its wild habitat with fewer than 900 trees growing naturally.
Species Image Scientific name Conservation Status Distribution Ravenea albicans (Jum.) Beentje Endangered Northeast Madagascar Ravenea beentjei Rakotoarin. & J.Dransf Critically endangered Vondrozo, Madagascar Ravenea cycadifolia J.Dransf. Madagascar Ravenea declivium J.Dransf. & Rakotoarin. Critically endangered MadagascarRavenea delicatula Rakotoarin. Critically endangered Northwest Madagascar Ravenea dransfieldii Beentje Endangered Madagascar Ravenea glauca Jum. & H.Perrier Vulnerable Madagascar Ravenea hildebrandtii H.Wendl. ex Bouché Endangered Comoros Ravenea hypoleuca Rakotoarin. & J.Dransf. Critically endangered Southeast Madagascar Ravenea julietiae Beentje Endangered Madagascar Ravenea krociana Beentje Endangered Madagascar Ravenea lakatra (Jum.) Beentje Critically endangered Madagascar Ravenea latisecta Jum. Critically endangered Eastern central Madagascar Ravenea louvelii Beentje Critically endangered Madagascar Ravenea madagascariensis Becc. Least concern Madagascar Ravenea moorei J.Dransf. & N.W.Uhl Critically endangered Comoros Ravenea musicalis Beentje Critically endangered Madagascar Ravenea nana Beentje Endangered Madagascar Ravenea rivularis Jum. & H.Perrier Critically endangered Madagascar Ravenea robustior Jum. & H.PerrierNear threatened Madagascar Ravenea sambiranensis Jum. & H.Perrier Least concern Madagascar Ravenea xerophila Jum. Vulnerable Madagascar Most of the species are endangered. Species such as R. moorei are critically so, with only two specimens known, last seen in 1993 (IUCN report). R. louvelii is little better off, with fewer than 25 plants known (IUCN report). Overall, less than 50 trees of several species are still alive. Historical data indicates that populations are still decreasing for most, except for Ravenea sambiranesis and Ravenea madagascariensis. The species listed as critically endangered will most likely become extinct this century unless measures are taken to cultivate new trees and protect their habitats from being disrupted by deforestation and water pollution. Even if as few as a dozen trees of each species were planted on ideal, protected land where they could reproduce, it would give each species a much better chance for survival.
Cultivation and uses Ravenea rivularis (majesty palm) is widely cultivated in subtropical regions, and it is sold commercially as a houseplant. It is an adaptable palm that looks somewhat similar to the ever-popular queen palm. It is a very large palm with a large, untidy crown. It has symmetrical leaves and develops an attractive swollen base of the trunk. Majesty palms prefer full sun, plenty of water, and high humidity to ensure healthy growth. It is tolerant of different soil types. Propagation is by seeds, which germinate in 2–3 months.
References
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Ravenea RBG Kew: Ravenea PACSOA: Ravenea