Travelers Palm vs Bird of Paradise – What are the Differences & Similarities?

There is a comparison of Travelers Palm vs Bird of Paradise you come to know that the traveler’s palm possesses straight leaves with sharp leaves.  The Traveler’s Palm and the Bird of Paradise are two iconic plants that reign supreme.

Both have some differences and similarities which can be categorized through their physical characteristics such as their height, preference for growing environment, and especially their family.

Attributes	Traveler’s Palm	Bird of Paradise
Common Names	Bird flower, Firebirds, Bird of Paradise	Bird flower, Firebirds, Bird of Paradise
Latin name(s)	Ravenala madagascariensis	Strelitzia
Family	Strelitziaceae	Strelitziaceae
Vegetation	Perennial	Perennial
Height at maturity	> 32 feet	2 to 6 feet
Width at maturity	18 to 19 feet	6 to 9 feet
Soil type	Sandy soil, Stony soil, Humus	Sandy soil, Stony soil, Humus
Soil pH	Neutral to slightly Acid soil	Neutral

An Overview of Travelers Palm

The second name of Travelers Palm Tree is Ravenala madagascariensis. It is a tropical plant that is considered to be stunning and unique in its category. There is a shocking fact about it that it is palm only by name but actually, it is a member of the banana family. It is famous for its graceful leaves that grow up to 7-10 feet and they are arranged fanlike, resembling the shape of a traditional hand fan.

An Overview of Birds of Paradise

The scientific name of the Bird of Paradise is Strelitzia reginae. This tropical plant is used to be captivated in South Africa. It lies in the family of Streliziaceae. It is famous for its name from the unique, bird-like appearance of its flowers. It takes its name from the spectacular white flowers that associate a bird slightly.

Travelers Palm vs Bird of Paradise

The significant differences between Traveler Palm vs Bird of Paradise are the height and size of leaves that makes them different. It is a fact that birds of paradise grow in hardier zones than travelers’ palms. As birds of paradise grow grouped stems, it makes a difference because travelers’ palms grow to utilize a core trunk.  

They don’t have only differences but there are some similarities between them too. Their similarities make it difficult to tell them apart. This causes great confusion among many people.

What Are Their Appearances? 

When you compare the Traveler’s Palm vs bird of paradise palm, appearance will be the first thing you will notice. Travelers Palm is famous for its fan-like leaves, which can reach a height of a maximum of 30-50 feet with a single trunk. Its large leaves are supported by long, robust, fan-shaped petioles that are in fan-like form. The secret about these petioles is that the plants store water between them.

Due to its trunk, it is associated with a tree.  It is made up of densely packed leaves. That’s why, this is known as the false traveler palm tree. When they grow old, they lose moisture and fall off. The only thing left behind is scars, which make it look like a palm tree. But this could make you confused.

In contrast, the giant Bird of Paradise attributes large, paddle-shaped leaves that develop long stalks. Its flourishing bird-like flowers have a mixture of orange and blue. They are widely used to provide expensive backyards, farms, and publish spaces a hint of the tropics.  

It creates an alternately appearing, thin, ringed stipe made up of the interconnecting petioles on a single plane. The new leaves appear when the old become wither and fall of the plant.

What Are Their Hardiness Zones?

They only grow in a few hardiness zones. The traveler palm trees have more particular needs than the birds of paradise.  But the birds of paradise plant may grow everywhere between zones 9 and 12 including indoors, this makes them different from traveler’s palm because they can be grown in zones 10 to 11.

When you analyze their temperature, you come to know that travelers’ palms bear cooler temperatures and can handle a light frost. They don’t need much care and also adapt to a variety of soil conditions easily. Similarly, when you analyze the birds of paradise you find that they are less cold-hardy and are best suited to tropical climates.

What Are Their Heights?

Leaves lengths differ in them, the each leaf is around 10 feet long and it also includes a stalk that is nearly as long as the leaf, which gives it a look like a paddle. The fan’s blade forces its feathery appearance by associating with a banana tree that has been scattered apart by the wind.

It is stated that the birds of paradise have the most known species named Strelitzia reginae, which is distinguished by its long, dark green leaves. Their stems are between 20 and 35 inches long, and the leaves are between 11 and 75 inches long.

What Are Their distinctive qualities?

These are the tropical trees that possess distinctive naming origins and history. When you dive deep into their explanation, you come to know that the birds of paradise have variations that are frequently called the wild banana plant, it is so due to their deep association with the banana plant.

Another reason behind the popularity of traveler’s palm is its popularity is the manner it grows. They have the ability to determine which way to go because the leaves only grow along an East-West axis.

What about their Flowers and Fruits?

The fall season is known as the season of Travelers palm. When the fall season comes the traveler’s palm starts growing. The color of its fruits mostly appears in brown color. They reach a height of 9 feet, then they begin to flower. The color of bracts and flowers is greenish.

But when you talk about the bird of paradise, it creates orange-colored sepals and blue-colored petals. When they are brought together, they form stunning flowers. The heads of their flowers are similar to a tropical bird that looks charming.

Is a bird of paradise a palm?

This question is highly asked and the answer is It is not a palm at all, rather a close cousin of bird of paradise. Because both of them are two different families. As palm is a part of the Arecaceae family while the birds of paradise the part of the Strelitziaceae family.

But they can easily be differentiated by noticing their flowers. Because the flowers of palm trees are small and have a yellowish texture in them. Unlike them, the flowers of the birds of paradise are bright and can easily be identified due to their shades that are orange, blue, yellow and etc.

White Bird Of Paradise

The White Bird of Paradise, a native of subtropical South Africa, adorns our spaces with glossy, long, broad leaves that reach vast heights and teasingly dangle like birds in flight. Ever the royal plant, Strelitzia Nicolai got its scientific name from Her Highness Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, an English art and botany enthusiast.

The white bird of paradise plant grows best in an area with bright direct light, where light enters the room directly. It can also thrive in an area with brilliant indirect light, where light enters the room indirectly. Don’t put it anywhere that doesn’t receive enough natural light.

Conclusion

The traveler’s palm and the bird of paradise differ significantly in several important ways. Both are different in height and leaf size, the traveler’s palm outgrows the bird of paradise. Travelers Palm vs Bird of Paradise and their similarities & differences are well explained here.

In comparison to a specific traveler’s palm, the bird of paradise plant may be grown in more hardy zones. After this, you can easily identify the traveler’s palm and the birds of paradise without any confusion.

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