Species of the genus Ravenala are not true palms (family Arecaceae) but members of the family Strelitziaceae. The genus is closely related to the southern African genus Strelitzia and the South American genus Phenakospermum. Some older classifications include these genera in the banana family (Musaceae).
Although formerly considered to be monotypic, four different forms have been distinguished.[3][4] Five new species were described in 2021, all from Madagascar.[5] The following species are currently recognised in the genus Ravenala:[6]
^Boiteau, Pierre (1997). "reniala". Dictionnaire des noms malgaches de végétaux (in French). Vol. III. Editions Alzieu. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-17 – via Malagasy Dictionary and Encyclopedia of Madagascar. de ravina : feuille, et ala : forêt...
^P. Blanc; A. Hladik; N. Rabenandrianina; J.S. Robert; C.M. Hladik (2003). "Strelitziaceae: The variants of Ravenala in natural and anthropogenic habitats". In Goodman, S.M.; Benstead, J. (eds.). The Natural History of Madagascar(PDF). The University of Chicago Press, Chicago & London. pp. 472–476.