MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 14 
hand figure of the accompanying plate.) While all of the 
flowers have an ovary, the length of the latter compared to 
the length of the entire flower varies according to the posi- 
tion of the flowers on the axis. At the base of the latter there 
are about 8-10 clusters the flowers of which bear ovaries about 
two-thirds the length of the flower. (See lower left-hand 
figure of the plate.) These ovaries give rise later to the 
“fingers,” or individual banana fruits, while the clusters 
form the “hands.” These fruit-producing flowers are the so- 
called female flowers though bearing defunct stamens. At 
the tip of the floral axis are borne the so-called male flowers, 
which are likewise crowded into clusters and are covered by 
large reddish scales. In these the ovary is only about one- 
third the length of the flower and falls, together with the 
remaining floral parts, after the pollen from the well devel- 
oped stamens has been shed. Occupying an intermediate 
position on the floral axis are flowers again arranged in clus- 
ters but bearing ovaries about one-half the length of the en- 
tire flower. (In the lower right-hand figure of the plate the 
first of these clusters are just appearing.) These flowers 
are either perfect, i. e., bearing both stamens and ovary, or 
neuter, i. e., possessing neither stamens nor ovary. Such 
ovaries as are present usually enlarge somewhat and persist 
on the axis as small worthless fruits. The male flowers con- 
tinue to open while the fruit of the female flowers is ripen- 
ing, and at the time the fruit is ready to be cut the flower 
stalk is bearing the hands of full-grown bananas at the base, 
while on the long pendulous projecting portion the aborted 
fruits of the perfect flowers occur and at the tip the so-called 
“bud” of unopened male flowers. As the pendulous flower 
stalk first emerges, or “shoots,” from the trunk, the ovaries 
hang down. As the stamens and perianth drop from the 
female flowers, however, the ovaries—future fruits—grad- 
ually turn upward (compare the two lower figures in the 
plate), and from this time on maintain this erect position. 
For local use it is generally considered that the fruit has 
a better flavor if cut when “full,” i. e., when it is still green 
but already of maximum size, and allowed to ripen off the 
tree. Where bananas are shipped over considerable distances, 
however, it is of course necessary to cut earlier, but in gen- 
eral the flavor and consistency of the fruit is impaired in 
pro rtion to the length of time it is cut before ming 
‘full’ ’ Usually about two and one-half to four months are 
required from the time of “shooting” until the fruit be- 
comes Fall.”” ; 
Romapcenias?, banana plants are ron from ‘“‘suckers”— 
shoots which develop from the underground stems. When 
