eric27

Can anyone tell me what these really are? I got them TOGETHER as M. Itinerans, but as you can see they don't look the same. They have similar growth habits, same rate of growth and are both about 3 feet high as of today. Yet the leaves look different. I think the second one is Musa Yunnanensis.

Plant #1
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Sorry this next pic came out sideways. But it shows a lot of dark markings on the pseudostem.


Plant #2

I think this is Musa Yunnanensis, although these pictures don't show much.





The second plant has no markings on the leaves, and some wax on the pseudostem. Any help is much apprecitated!
Eric

Caloosamusa

Both of these look like Musa yunannensis, one has not yet developed the darker color on the petioles and pseudostem yet. The strong waxyness on the dark green pseudostem and petioles is indicative of yunannensis. The waxyness will rub off white on the contacting surface. Musa itinerans itinerans does not have the waxyness that rubs off, and has a Bronze rather than a dark coloration on the pseudostem.

I do not yet know how to determine the differences between the four subspecies of yunannesis, though I think it may be hand and bunch sizes.

I have limited experience with this species. I hope this helps.
Musa yunannensis


Musa itinerans itinerans


I have other pictures of these at various growth stages in my photo gallery. Neither species likes temperatures above 90F, both stop growing at those temperatures.

eric27

Yes that helps a lot! Thanks. Your two pictures help for comparison. I see a lot more waxyness on the yunannensis in your first picture. What really confuses me about mine are I have 4 plants total that could and probably are yunannensis, but only the one has the red color down the midrib on all of the leaves. They are all younger plants. Yet the one really stands out from the other 3. Also, the leaves are more of a blue green, while the 3 are more plain green like in the picture I posted. The one I posted as yunannensis has never shown any markings on the leaves down the midrib, while the other one now has markings on the top leaf surface also. So it's possible they are different forms of yunannensis?

Markku Hakkinen

Hi,

It is really Musa yunnanensis. The red midrib is very common some areas in China.

Markku.

eric27

Thank you Markku!

Markku Hakkinen

Hi,
It is very easy to identify M.yunnanensis and M.itinerans from each others.
M.yunnanensis has:
-Waxy petiole bases, hermaphroditic basal flowers, ovules in two rows per locule.
M.itinerans has:
-No waxy petiole bases, female basal flowers, ovules in four rows per locule.
Ovules could be easily seen when one is cutting young undeveloped fruit.
The seeds are very similar in both species.
Markku

eric27

Hi!

This does help a lot. Thank you. Of the 4 M.yunnanensis I have only the one has the dark midrib on the top of the leaf and very dark markings all the way up the petitole from the pseudeostem. Does that mean it is a different subspeices of M.yunnanensis? And if so would you know which one. It is very different than the other 3. Thanks again!
Eric

Markku Hakkinen

Hi Eric,

Yes, it does mean a different variety from north Yunnan. The plants are much more robust and taller in north compared the slender ones in south. What is coming to the variety I can't remember it now but it has published in Nordic Journal of Botany a while ago. I don't have my archives with me in China. I can send the article to your private mail address when I am back in Finland on Oct 20th.

Markku

Caloosamusa

Good morning Markku,

I would also like to obtain your article, and I will pay for it. Please let me know!

Thanks!

eric27

Hi Markku,

Thank you very much for all your information. It is very helpful. It does explain why the two are very similar yet different at the same time. I would very much like a copy of the article. It would help to sort the spieces I have and I am sure it is very interesting reading. Having names etc owuld be nice. Please let me know what you all need. I can send you my email address etc.

Regarding hardiness, do the different M.yunnanensis species have the same hardiness or does it vary and can you comment on the hardiness of the overall spieces? I plan to test 3 of the 4 outside overwinter here with protection. The one with more color I plan to bring in this winter.

Thanks again! I really appreciate it,
Eric

Markku Hakkinen

Hi Eric,

Please provide for mr your email address? I'll send the article for you after coming back to Finland on October 20th.

Markku.