THE WILD PLANTAIN (MUSA SUPERBA, ROXB.). 589 



Henslow's interesting work entitled " The Origin of Plant Structures." 



Ravenala madagascarensis, a handsome tree of the plantain-tribe, 

 specimens of which may be seen in Bombay in the Victoria Gardens 

 and in one or two private gardens near Malabar Point, with its large 

 plantain-like leaves growing in one plane forming a semi-circular head 

 like an open fan, is known as " The Traveller's Joy" because of the 

 large quantity of water which is stored up in the excavated sheaths and 

 succulent leaf-stalks. 



It is alleged that a quart of water may be readily obtained in driest 

 weather by piercing the leaf-stalk.* 



It may be interesting here to mention in this connection that a com- 

 mon climber known as Nandanwel ( Vitis adnata, Wall) is found in the 

 Thana District, whose stems when cut bleed so profusely as to provide 

 sufficient liquid for quenching the thirst. When very thirsty and unable 

 to obtain water from any other source the wild tribes drink the fluid, 

 which causes however throat irritation. Even a still larger quantity of 

 liquid and certainly more agreeable to take than that of Nandanwel, in 

 that no throat irritation succeeds swallowing, is the fluid which flows 

 from the cut stems of Calycopteris florilmnda, Lamk.f known as 

 " Ukshi " in Thana and abundant almost all over the district, especially 

 in the western parts, a specimen of which may be seen on the Gibbs 

 Road, Malabar Hill, Bombay. When in flower this particular plant 

 presents a very handsome sight covered as it is with a profusion of yel- 

 lowish flowers. 



The plant however possessing the fluiJ (which is usually obtained 

 in April-May) is a scandent shrub and a very formidable one in the 

 bargain, for once it mounts a tree it invariably succeeds in reachino- fj le 

 illuminated heights of the crown which it so invades with its taneled 

 mass of branches that the host is soon exterminated. In the Flora of 

 British India, however, Calycojileris florilmnda is described as "a diffuse 



dense shrub with drooping branches not at all scandent. " 



Its habit of growth when standing isolated as on Malabar Hill, for 

 instance, meets the above description it is true, but, no doubt exists about 

 it being a very formidable climber in the forests. The wild plantain 

 possesses no real stem above ground. What is popularly known as the 



* Chambers 1 Encyclopaedia. 



t I have tasted this liquid which al first has a clear transparent appearance like 

 water. If bottled, however, it turns the colour of vermouth. 



