Phenakospermum

{{Short description|Genus of trees}}

{{speciesbox

|image = Phenakospermum guyannense BotGardBln08112010C.JPG

|image_caption = Phenakospermum guyannense at Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum.

|genus = Phenakospermum

|parent_authority = Endl.

|species = guyannense

|authority = (A.Rich.) Endl. ex Miq.

|synonyms = Musidendron amazonicum {{au|(Mart.) Nakai}}

Phenakospermum amazonicum {{au|(Mart.) Miq.}}

Ravenala guyannensis {{au|(A.Rich.) Steud.}}

Urania amazonica {{au|Mart.}}

Urania guyannensis {{au|A.Rich.}}

| synonyms_ref = {{ThePlantList |id=kew-257739|taxon=Phenakospermum guyannense|authority=(A.Rich.) Endl. ex Miq.|accessdate=25 August 2013}}

}}

Phenakospermum is a monotypic genus in the family Strelitziaceae. Only one species is recognized, Phenakospermum guyannense, native to Suriname, French Guiana and the eastern Amazon River basin. This plant grows to over {{convert|10|m|abbr=on}} in height but can be felled with a single blow with a machete.

Although not as prized as the ornamental Traveler's palm (in the same family), P. guyannense is used locally in Brazil as a landscape element. The broad leaves are used to wrap fish in Benevides, Brazil, especially when Calathea leaves (Marantaceae) are not available.

Previously, this genus was included in the now exclusively old world genus Ravenala.