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Ensete glaucum (Roxb.) Cheesman
| Family Name: | Musaceae |
| Synonyms: | Ensete giganteum (Kuntze) Nakai, Musa nepalensis Wall., Musa glauca Roxb. |
| Common Name: | Snow Banana, 象腿蕉 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Bangladesh, East Himalaya, Nepal, Southern China (southern & western Yunnan), Taiwan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam,Thailand, Sumatra, Java, the Philippines, & New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Mountain) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Highland / Montane |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large herbs grow up to 6 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are solid green and oblong, measuring 1.5-1.8 m long and 0.5-0.6 m wide. |
| Stems | The waxy coated pseudostem is made up of tightly-overlapping leaf sheaths. |
| Flowers | The hanging inflorescence emerges at the tip of the pseudostem, can grow to 2.5 m long. The non-showy flowers are hidden under large green bracts. |
| Fruit | Fruits are oblong, measuring about 9 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. The black seeds are about 1 cm in diameter. |
| Habitat | It can be found in mountainous regions at 800 - 1100 m above sea level. |
| Cultivation | The plants do well in nutrient-rich soils and in full sun. Need protection against strong wind, to prevent any damages to the large leaves. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Agriculture - Forestry: The pseudostems are used as food for pigs in China. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Shade Providing Tree / Palm |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29780 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4089 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
