Ravenea musicalis, or the river palm, is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae. Also known by the Antanosy word "torendriky," meaning "submerged trunk", R. musicalis is known for being the only truly aquatic palm tree. Like many mangrove trees, R. musicalis seeds germinate within the fruit, and the seedling takes root underwater. as much as eight feet (2.5 meters) below the surface. Endemic to Madagascar, R. musicalis was first discovered in 1993 by Henk Beentje on an expedition funded by the McDonald's restaurant. This palm is listed in the IUCN Red List. This tree is harvested by local people primarily for building material and food. Over-harvesting, habitat degradation and habitat loss threaten the remaining populations. Horticulturalists prize R. musicalis for its rarity and unique life history. Distribution Endemic to southeast Madagascar, R. musicalis has only been found to live in three populations in the Belavenoka, Vatomirindry, and Ebakika Rivers. The Area of Occupancy, a measure frequently used by the IUCN to determine conservation status, is estimated to be only 7.25 square kilometers. Henk Beentje originally discovered the species in the Belavenoka River in 1993 during his primary expedition, while the Vatomirindry and Ebakika populations were found later in the 2000s. The Ebabkika and Belavenoka populations portray clear signs of palm tree harvesting and are dwindling at a higher rate than the remote Vatomirindry population. Ravenea musicalis does not appear to be thriving in any other location of the world. Habitat and ecology Ravenea musicalis can be found in rivers with flowing waters that are 0.5-2.5 meters deep. It only grows to maturity on sandy river beds and seems unable to flourish on other soil types. It is adapted to warm, wet conditions, with precipitation averaging approximately 1680 mm/year and temperatures between 16 and 30 degrees Celsius. Lack of sufficient data makes the impact of R. musicalis on other species unclear. Not an ecologically dominant species, R. musicalis seems to be adapted to very specific environmental conditions. Ravenea musicalis has a unique life history. Its reproductive cycle more closely resembles mangroves than its fellow palms. The pleonanthic palm flowers every year. R. musicalis is dioecious, and female trees develop mature fruit during the wet season, in late February. Mature, floating fruits fall into the water where they are dispersed by the river away from the parent. Within each fruit is a single seed that begins to germinate while