L'utilisation du coeur du ravenala (Ravenala madagascariensis) est-elle compatible avec la régénération naturelle ?

Résumé En

Is the utilization of the heart of the traveler’s tree (Ravenala madagascariensis) compatible with natural regeneration ? — The heart (meristem) of the traveler’s tree (Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn.) can be eaten as a cooked legume, which nutritional value is discussed after the results of analyses. In the eastern coastal area of Madagascar, where the local variant of the Ravenala, the ‘horonorona’, is naturally occurring with a remarkably high density, and can regenerate new stipes from the base, this natural food resource appears as being sustainable. Its slightly bitter taste (eventually due to the excess of potassium salts), that persists after cooking, can be positively appreciated ; however, this taste might deter some of the consumers, who prefer the sweeter heart of another variant of Ravenala, the ‘bemavo’. This other variant, naturally occurring in the hilly parts at higher elevation, is not abundant in the coastal area at low altitude. It grows with a single stipe that is not regenerated after the terminal meristem is extracted to obtain the edible heart. The issue concerning the regeneration of natural population of the traveler’s palm according to the local utilizations as a building material and/or as food, need a careful understanding of the status of the different variants of the genus Ravenala living in sympatry in various altitudinal and climatic conditions.