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?:03:

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!

Re: What's the difference between Ensete ventricosum and superbum?
 

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

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.