Musa
(Mauz is the Arabic name of the genus, but Linneaeus says he named it after Antonius Musa, the physician of Augustus). Banana, or Plantain-tree. ORD. Scitamineae. Of this genus about eighteen plants have been described as species, but some of these are merely cultivated varieties. They are large-growing, stove, herbaceous plants, confined to the tropical regions of the globe. Flowers borne on a long nodding spike, clustered together in groups, protected by large, sometimes highly coloured bracts; calyx elongated, striated, the apex trifid, or three or five-toothed; corolla shorter than the calyx, or almost equal. Fruit fleshy. Leaves large, long. True stem very small; the sheaths of the leaves, however, are very long, and closely compacted, so as to form a kind of false stem. Musas are handsome foliage plants, available for culture in large pots or tubs when required to be movable, or they may be permanently planted in houses which afford sufficient heat and space for their development. Some of the hardier species, under the first-named treatment, may be utilised for sub-tropical gardening outside, in summer. M. Ensete and M. superba are two of the best and hardiest for the purpose. A sheltered position is necessary, the leaves being so soon torn by rough wind. M. coccinea, a dwarf-growing slender species, with a brightly-coloured inflorescence, may be grown well in 10in. pots for winter decoration of tropical houses. Musas require a strong loamy soil, with plenty of manure added, and almost any amount of heat and moisture may be given in summer. In winter, a resting season should be allowed, water being almost, or, in some case, entirely, withheld. Propagation may be effected by seeds, sown in heat, during spring; and most of the species produce suckers, which also afford a ready method of increase. The plants are sometimes cultivated for their fruits, but not extensively, on account of the great space, and the amount of heat required. M. Cavendishii is the most compact-growing species for this purpose, and the one which is, perhaps, most certain to succeed. Strong suckers must be obtained to star with, and grown on in pots until established. They should then be planted in a prepared bed of very rich soil, and encouraged to grow vigorously by maintaining a high temperature and humid atmosphere. The time taken in growing plants to fruiting size varies considerably according to the treatment given in cultivation. a stem which produces a bunch of fruits, dies away very soon afterwards, but one or more strong suckers usually proceed from the base before this takes place. M. africana (African). l. oblong, petiolate, in the young plant about 3ft. long, spreading, of a bright green colour, the petiole purplish, with a narrow purple margin. Pseudo-stems also flushed with a purplish tinge, which is continued along the back of the prominent midrib. Angola, 1871. A very fine dwarf-habited species, with a sturdy growth.
M. assamica (Assam). l. crowded, tufted, elliptic-lanceolate, stalked, about 1ft. in lenght, very unequal-sided at the base, acute at the apex, and running out into a slender, tendril-like point; green, with a narrow purple border. Pseudo-stems slender, about 1 1/2ft. high, green. Assam, 1871. A dwarf-habited and elegant plant, and an excellent subject for table decoration. M. Cavendishii (Cavendish's).* l. deep green, oblong, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1ft. to 2ft. wide. h. 5ft. to 6ft. China, 1829. A well-known dwarf-growing species, requiring less heat than many others.
M. coccinea (scarlet).* ft., inflorescence terminal, about 1ft. long, furnished with spathes of a brilliant scarlet, tipped with yellow. Flowering at various times throughout the season. l. entire, oblong, about 3ft. long and 6in. broad, bright dark green. Pseudostem about 8in. in circumference. h. 4ft. Cochin China, 1793. A very ornamental plant. (A. B. R. 47; B. M. 1559; L. B. C. 475.) M. Ensete (Ensete).* l. oblong, nearly erect, about 16ft. long and 4ft. wide, of a fine bright green, with a broad, bright crimson, stout midrib. Pseudo-stem usually very thick, attaining sometimes a diameter of more than 3ft. at the base, and a height of from 13ft. to nearly 20ft. Abyssinia, 1853. The best-known species in this country, being the hardiest and best adapted for sub-tropical gardening. (B. M. 5223.) M. paradisiaca (Paradise). Adam's Apple Plantain. fl., spadix nodding. fr. ascending, long-sub-cylin. drical, incurved, 1in. long. l. oblong. Stem green h. 20ft. Tropics, 1690. (L. B. C. 684.) M. rosacea (rosy). Mauritius Plantain-tree. fl., spadix nodding or erect; male flowers deciduous; spathe elliptic, very obtuse. March. fr. oblong. l. oblong, unequal or obliquely cordate at the base. Mascarene Islands, &c., cultivated 1805. (B.R.706; L.B.C.615.) M. sanguinea (bloody). fl. yellow; bracts blood-red. l. linear-ob-long, 2 1/2ft. long. Stem 3ft. to 4ft. high. Assam, 1872. (B. M. 5975.) M. sapientum (wise men's).* True Banana. l. deep green, oblong, from 8ft. to 10ft. long, and 1ft. wide. h. 20ft. Tropics, 1729. There are a great number of varieties of this species, with the fruits varying much in form, colour and flavour; sometimes the large clusters weigh as much as 70lb. or 80lb. The fruit, which is eaten either fresh, cooked, or dried, is of the highest importance to the inhabitants of the tropics of both the Old and New Worlds. "Though less nutritious than wheat or potatoes, yet the space occupied by their culture, and the care required, are so very much less, that Humboldt has calculated the produce of Bananas compared to that of wheat as 133 to 1, and to that of potatoes as 44 to 1" ("Treasury of Botany"). M. s. vittata (striped).* l. with a bright green ground, beautifully striped and blotched with white. Tropical Africa, 1862. An elegant variety. (B. M. 5402.) M. sumatrana (Sumatran).* l. oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, glaucous-green, prettily marked with transverse, oblong, more or less confluent, chestnut spots. Sumatra, 1880. (I. H. 375.) M. superba (superb).* l. oblong. Pseudo-stem swollen at the base. h. 14ft. India, &c., 1820. A very distinct and handsome species, resembling M. Ensete, only more compact. (B.M.3849.) M. velutina (velvety). fl. yellow, on an erect purple spadix; lower ones densely velvety. l. about 3 1/2ft. long, and nearly 1ft. broad, unequal at base, decurrent on the petiole, which is 1 1/2ft. long. Stems stout, 1 1/2in. in diameter, and about 4ft. high. Assam, 1875. (R. G. 823.) M. zebrina (zebra.)* l. oblong, dark green, with broad blotches of bronzy-red and purple, irregularly scattered. Pseudo-stem slender. h. 10ft. India, 1820. A very distinct and desirable dwarf-growing species.