View Full Version : Musa ID+
tropical-pete
05-29-2008, 07:38 AM
Hi all,
Managed to pick up this Musa plant the other day for a cheap price. Anyone got any idea's what it might be?
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg249/tropical-pete/Musa01.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg249/tropical-pete/Musa02.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg249/tropical-pete/Musa03.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg249/tropical-pete/Musa04.jpg
It's glaucous, the leaves have a red backing when new, and a little of this remains on fully grown leaves. The mid-ribs also remain red on the underside of fully grown leaves. Let me know if there are any other picture's I could take to help.
Thanks, take care
Pete
magicgreen
05-29-2008, 08:51 AM
Iam still new to this, but I think it might be a basjoo.
BIGDAWG69
05-29-2008, 04:03 PM
faint red undersides on the leaves, and the red midrib - Could it be a Helen's Hybrid?
Gabe15
05-29-2008, 04:38 PM
definetly not M. basjoo, and although I haven't seen 'Helen's Hybrid' up close, it looks like it could be that perhaps. It also kinda resembles M. thomsonii in some ways, but thats a rarer plant and I doubt it would be that. As it gets older, it will be easier to identify.
Sodak
05-29-2008, 06:54 PM
I have a Zebrina that looks just like that. With sun bleached leaves.
dablo93
05-30-2008, 12:43 AM
Sikkemensis maybe?
Mark Hall
05-30-2008, 03:38 AM
Here are a few of the guesses we had on HTUK.
Hardy Tropicals - View topic - Musa ID (http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1690)
Lagniappe
05-30-2008, 10:32 AM
My Ice Creams did that last year (the red backing and midribs) and this year I have Velutina and Basjoos that are doing it. So that part may not be an important factor in identification.
Gabe15
05-30-2008, 12:17 PM
An important characteristic to look at on this plant is the leaf base, notice how they are symmetrical and very round and curve back up toward to leaf blade? This part of the plant can vary a lot between species and varieties.
bigdog
05-30-2008, 03:56 PM
It sure looks a lot like one of the Musa sikkimensis hybrids to me also, but hard to pinpoint which one. Could be Helen's Hybrid or even Darjeeling Giant. My Darjeeling Giant has no markings on the leaves, but Helen's Hybrid does. They are both waxy, have red midribs, and round leafbases (or "flaps", as I read on the UK forum, lol). Almost positive it's not M. thomsonii. Not Musa itinerans either, and pretty sure it isn't M. yunnanensis. Nice-looking banana too!
natedogg1026
05-30-2008, 11:17 PM
Pete, where did you get it. A lot of stores carry the same varieties. So if it's from HD For instance. They seem to carry the same one's in most of their stores. Gabe thanx for pointing that out about the symmetry on the leaf base. I'll start playing closer attention.-Nate
Tropicallvr
06-09-2008, 09:17 PM
I'd put my money on M darjeeling giant or as the one sold in the U.S. as M.initerans.
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