Planted outside our main (west) entrance is this fine specimen of traveler's palm, Ravenala madagascariensis, which is endemic to Madagascar but planted widely throughout the tropics. This treelike herb has bananalike leaves up to four meters in length. The leaves are alternate, each arising 180 degrees apart, thus forming the distinctive fan-shaped display (alternate distichous arrangement). The leaf bases accumulate water, which some say is drinkable, if desperate in some tropic environ, hence the common name of travelor's palm. However, Ravenala is not a palm but instead is a relative of the bird of paradise flower (Strelitziaceae). When you visit MEMBG, be sure to see this plant, because you likely will not find another specimen growing outdoors in Los Angeles.