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View Full Version : Ensete perrieri - Madagascar Banana


Paulzie32
04-30-2016, 12:15 PM
A FB Friend from Madagascar, Posted some pictures and a link of a Madagascar endemic Banana. He says the fruit is full of seeds and the taste, even if you can avoid the seeds is terrible.
He just planted these plants.
https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/13062102_1140306209334992_8222995680544682243_n.jpg?oh=8c45d45e0 22481d59a156105b7b875e1&oe=579A8A4A

Here's the link he posted. I put the photo from the link below it but some may be interested in reading more about them

Ensete perrieri in A Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar @ efloras.org (http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=12&taxon_id=242417932)

http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/FloraData/Gallery/1088/Tana2.jpg

Pretty Interesting looking plant. Guessing the leaves have all died and usually has large typical leaves :)

He said of the plant and fruit....
"rare Ensete perrieri, Madagascar banana about to be planted. This remarkable species is almost non existent in cultivation. It grows to enormous size but the fruits are not edible.
the big seeds are avoidable, but the taste only if you don't eat them! Truly awfully bad taste."

Of the reason he believes it's rare:
"Humans are said to have been responsible for the extinction of many large animals that used to live on Madagascar like Elephant birds and lemurs the size of Gorillas"

Interesting plant to add to a collection.

tanfenton
04-30-2016, 07:15 PM
Paul,

Is there any chance that your friend might have to send you seed from this Ensete? I would have an interest and would gladly pay for shipping.

N.

Paulzie32
05-22-2016, 06:07 PM
YEs... Always a chance :) But he said he'd rather wait until his produce seeds and send those.