Musa ingens
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| Musa ingens | |
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| Species: | M. ingens
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| Binomial name | |
| Musa ingens N.W.Simmonds
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The plant species Musa ingens is the physically largest member of the family Musaceae. Growing in the tropical montane forests of New Guinea, its leaves can reach a length of 5 meters (16 feet) and a width of 1 m (39 inches).[1][2] The "trunk" (actually the tightly rolled petioles (or stalks) of its leaves; the longest petioles of any known plant) is typically up to 49 feet (15 meters) in height, and with the leaves having a total height of 66 feet (20 meters). However, since its discovery in 1954 taller individuals up to one hundred feet (30 meters) have been reported,[3] but these measurements have yet to be confirmed by a specific scientific study. Photos exist of M. ingens "trunks" up to 37 inches (94 cm) in diameter at breast height.[4] Its fruit, in a cluster weighing up to 132 lbs (60 kg), is inedible. This cluster is borne on a peduncle up to 4 inches (10 cm) thick and up to 49 ft (15 m) in length, again the longest of any known plant.
References
- ^ N.W. Simmonds, "Notes on Banana Taxonomy" KEW BULLETIN Vol. 14 # 2 (1960) p. 198.
- ^ Notes from Royal Bot. Garden Edinburgh Vol. 35 # 1 (1976) pp. 111-112
- ^ http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Musa_Ingens
- ^ http://www.thestatworld.com/2015/12/musa-ingens-the-tallest-banana-plant-in-the-world.html
External links
- http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drc/musa_ingens.htm
- "Musa Ingens - The Tallest Banana Plant in the World"
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