530 
THE MUSA, OR PLANTAIN TREE. 
two feet or more in width. The spadix or 
flower-spike, which in these plants always 
grows from the centre of the leaves, is droop- 
ing, often measures upwards of four feet in 
length, and bears a quantity of fruit, each of 
which measures eight or nine inches in length 
by an inch and a half in diameter, and, when 
ripe, is of a pale yellow colour. It fruits in this 
country, but the fruit is usually insipid. It 
is a native of the tropics, where various culti- 
vated varieties both of this and the following 
are met with. 
Musa sapientum (Banana-tree) has a purple 
stem, sometimes marked with dark spots, and 
grows from twenty to thirty feet high. The 
leaves are as large as those of M. paradisiaca, 
but more flaccid, and tinged with purple ; the 
spadix is drooping ; the fruit is shorter than 
in that kind, more pulpy, and better flavoured. 
It is a native of the tropics. 
Musa chinensis (Chinese Plantain-tree) is 
a dwarf plant, growing from three to five feet 
high, with drooping bunches of flowers, having 
brownish-coloured spathes, and much shorter, 
thicker, and broader leaves than the preceding. 
It is also more prolific, and bears an immense 
weight of fruit. This kind, which is that best 
suited for cultivation in this country as a fruit- 
bearing plant, is a native of China ; and is 
known in some collections as M. Cavendishii, 
a name given to it in compliment to the Duke 
of Devonshire. 
The other species, which are grown chiefly 
on account of botanical interest, are the fol- 
lowing : — 
Musa coccinea (scarlet-flowered Plantain- 
tree) grows from six to eight feet high, and 
has the spadix erect. The leaves are obtusely 
lanceolate ; the stalk and leaves are of a yellow- 
ish green, and the spathes scarlet at the base. 
It flowers freely in the stove, and remains a 
long time in flower. Native of China. 
' 
Musa coccinea 
y 
if 
Musa rosacea (rose-coloured Plantain- 
tree) in some degree resembles M. paradisiaca, 
but is smaller, growing twelve or fifteen feet 
high ; the flowers grow erect in clusters round 
the stem, and the spathes are rose-coloured ; 
the fruit is oblong, but sparingly produced, 
and not of any value. Native of Mauritius. 
Musa superba (superb Plantain-tree) grows 
ten or twelve feet high, with lanceolate ellip- 
tical leaves, five feet long, and nearly two feet 
wide ; the spathes are reddish brown. It is a 
native of the East Indies. 
Musa maculata (spotted stalked Plantain- 
tree) is from the Mauritius, and grows tenp, 
feet high ; Musa ornata (ornamented Plan- n 
tain-tree), and 31usa ijlauca (glaucous Plan-jof 
tain-tree), are both from the East Indies, the 
former growing six or eight, and the lattenhe 
ten or twelve feet high ; Musa nepahnsiw- 
(Nepal Plantain-tree) is, as its name importsyey 
a native of Northern India, and grows six oiwo 
eight feet high. Other species are knownace 
but not introduced. in 
The engravings will convey a general j-'sand, 
of the appearance of these plants, and, air. iSe' 
fruit which they produce. The st** = : 
