40 
BULLETIN 465, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
PROPAGATION. 
Although the banana waterlily is native to only a small portion of 
the United States, it can be successfully grown over practically the 
whole country. The plant has long been familiar in cultivation and 
is sold by most dealers in ornamental aquatics. The waterlily expert 
of one of the largest firms in the United States reports that Castalia 
mexicana is perfectly hardy as far north as Xew York City when 
covered with a foot of water, and he believes that if covered with 2 
feet of water it would be hardy at Boston. 
Fig. 35. — Range of banana waterlily. 
The banana waterlily needs an abundance of sunlight, water from 
1 to 3 feet deep, 1 and a mud bottom. It is not injured by a trace 
of salt, as is shown by its growing in lakes very near the coast. The 
rootstocks may be planted by weighting them with stones and drop- 
ping where desired. Having great vitality, the} 7 may be shipped with 
only moderate precautions to prevent them from drying, and may be 
transplanted at almost any time of the } T ear. 
1 When established it will spread to places where the water is even 5 feet deep. 
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