What's the difference between Ensete ventricosum and superbum?

Planter56 · 07-03-2010, 09:06 PM

OKay guys and gals out there. Out with it, what the difference. Looking on Ebay can be very confusing. So what's the definitive answer for the ole confused guy?

LilRaverBoi · 07-03-2010, 11:52 PM

They are two different species in the same genus. Basically, it's like the difference between musa basjoo and musa dwarf cavendish. They're in the same general group (ensete) but they are different species.

Ensete ventricosum is typically a green plant but sometimes has red stripes on the petioles/midribs. It looks like this:

Also contained within the E. ventricosum species is the E. ventricosum 'maurelii.' This is a ventricosum with redish cololoration on the leaves. It is a common landscaping plant found at places like Home Depot/Lowes, etc. It looks like this:

Ensete superbum has green leaves and with time develops a very large, fat, brown stem from the remnants of old leaf bases. It looks like this:

Both produced seeded/inedible fruit. It should also be noted that E. ventricosum is fairly common (especially the 'maurelii' subspecies). E. superbum is much harder to find and the seeds are quite difficult to germinate. E. ventricosum seeds seem to be much easier to germinate.

Hope that helps!

Kevin · 07-04-2010, 05:01 PM

Cool. Never heard of Ensete superbum before. Looks pretty neat.

Planter56 · 07-04-2010, 08:18 PM

Thanks for the information Lil. I have Ensete maurilli and it's doing very nice in the front garden at the moment. I got that through a co-op. I think the ensete with the red midrib would be nice to have. When I have the money, and if I have a house still next year.

Being back on here may be very temporary, unfortunately.

07-03-2010, 09:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Planter56 Kurt Planter56's Photo Gallery Location: Buffalo New York Find me on the map! Zone: 5-6 Name: Kurt Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 155 BananaBucks : 38,477 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 78 Times Was Thanked 92 Times in 52 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	What's the difference between Ensete ventricosum and superbum? OKay guys and gals out there. Out with it, what the difference. Looking on Ebay can be very confusing. So what's the definitive answer for the ole confused guy?

07-03-2010, 11:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 114,041 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: What's the difference between Ensete ventricosum and superbum? They are two different species in the same genus. Basically, it's like the difference between musa basjoo and musa dwarf cavendish. They're in the same general group (ensete) but they are different species. Ensete ventricosum is typically a green plant but sometimes has red stripes on the petioles/midribs. It looks like this: Also contained within the E. ventricosum species is the E. ventricosum 'maurelii.' This is a ventricosum with redish cololoration on the leaves. It is a common landscaping plant found at places like Home Depot/Lowes, etc. It looks like this: Ensete superbum has green leaves and with time develops a very large, fat, brown stem from the remnants of old leaf bases. It looks like this: Both produced seeded/inedible fruit. It should also be noted that E. ventricosum is fairly common (especially the 'maurelii' subspecies). E. superbum is much harder to find and the seeds are quite difficult to germinate. E. ventricosum seeds seem to be much easier to germinate. Hope that helps! __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

07-04-2010, 05:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 133,394 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	Re: What's the difference between Ensete ventricosum and superbum? Cool. Never heard of Ensete superbum before. Looks pretty neat.

07-04-2010, 08:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Planter56 Kurt Planter56's Photo Gallery Location: Buffalo New York Find me on the map! Zone: 5-6 Name: Kurt Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 155 BananaBucks : 38,477 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 78 Times Was Thanked 92 Times in 52 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: What's the difference between Ensete ventricosum and superbum? Thanks for the information Lil. I have Ensete maurilli and it's doing very nice in the front garden at the moment. I got that through a co-op. I think the ensete with the red midrib would be nice to have. When I have the money, and if I have a house still next year. Being back on here may be very temporary, unfortunately.

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