392 
e 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Musa continued. 
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 
—— 
— 2 
vid. 606. Musa CAVENDISHIL 
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 
, 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. Caven- 
dishii 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 start 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 ac- 
cording to the treatment given in cultivation. A stem 
which prodnees a bunch of fruits, dies away very soon 
afterwards, but one or more strong suckers usually pro- 
2 from the base before this takes place. 
Ei K ia (African). . obl iolate, in the youn, 
about Sft. lon a ps colour, the petiole 
j A narrow p margin. Pseudo-stems also 
h tinge, w is continued along the back of the 
ay 1871. A very fine dwarf-habited 
Musa—continued. 
M. Cavendishii (Cavendish’s).* I. deep green, oblong, 2ft. to 3ft. 
n 
long, lft. to 2ft. wide. A. 5ft. to6ft. China, 1829. A well-known 
ig, Re species, requiring less heat than many others. See 
ig. 600. „ fain 2. y 
M. coccinea (scarlet).“ fl., inflorescence terminal, 
about lft. long, furnished with spathes of a brilliant 
scarlet, tipped with yellow. Flowering at various 
times throughout the season. J. entire, oblong, about 
Skt. long and bin. broad, bright dark green. Pseudo- 
stem about Sin. 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).* J. oblong, nearly erect, about 
16ft. long and Aft. 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. 
ae Seen nodding. fr. ascending, long-sub-cylin- 
drical, incurved, lin. long. J. oblong. Stem green. 
R. 20ft. Tropics, 1690. (L. B. C. 684.) 
1 
Fic. 607. MUSA ROSACEA, showin; @ mabit, (2) detached Young 
Inf „ and ( uster of Fruits. 
M. rosacea (rosy). Mauritius Plantain- tree. , spadix nodding 
or erect; male flowers deciduous; spathe elliptic, very obtuse. 
March. jr. oblong. l. oblong, unequal or obliquely cordate- at 
the base. Mascarene Islands, &c., cultivated 1805. See Fig. 
607. (B. R. 706; L. B. C. 615.) 
M. (bloody). llow: bracts blood-red. L. linear-ob- 
long, 24ft. long. Stem tt ag Akt. high. Assam, 1872. (B. M. 5975.) 
sapientum (wise men’s).* True i, deep green, 
oblong, from 8ft. to 10ft. long, and lft. wide. . 20ft. Tropics, 
1728. There are a great number of varieties of this species, with 
the fruits much in form, colour and flavour ; sometimes 
* — — cone . highest — rere 
cooked, or dried, is of t i 
to the inhabitants of the tropics of both the New Worlds. 
h less nutritious than wheat or 
space 
FCP re so very much 
less, that Humboldt has calculated the produ 
to that of wheat as 133 to 1, and to that of potatoes as 44 
Treasury of Botany”). 
2 of y 
M. s. vittata (striped).* J. with a bright green beauti- 
fully striped po Plogcbed with pier Trop: prrs 1862. 
An elegant variety. (B. M. 5402.) 
acuminate, 
M. sumatrana (Sumatran).* I. oblong-lanceolate, 
i prettily marked with transverse, oblong, more or 
chestnut spots. Sumatra, 1880. (I. H. 375.) 
b).“ l oblong. Pseudo-stem swollen at the 
&c., 1820. A very distinct and handsome 
M. : eh 
base. A, Iäft. 
