Ensete glaucum, the snow banana, has also been classified as Musa nepalensis, Ensete giganteum, or Ensete wilsonii.

Ensete glaucum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Musaceae
Genus: Ensete
Species:
E. glaucum
Binomial name
Ensete glaucum

Distribution

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This gigantic monocarpic herbaceous plant is native to China, Nepal, India, Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam and Thailand.[1]

It grows from 2,600–8,800 feet (790–2,680 m) in elevation.[citation needed]

Description

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Ensete glaucum has a thick, waxy with sometimes bluish tinge, solitary pseudostem. It grows larger than the Abyssinian Banana (Ensete ventricosum).

Its leaves are 1.4–1.8 metres (4.6–5.9 ft) long and 50–60 centimetres (20–24 in) wide.[2]

Cultivation and uses

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The plant is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for its unique swollen bulbous base and large leaves[1] and is used to feed pigs in parts of China.[citation needed]

In India the pulp of the fruit is eaten, considered highly medicinal, and given to infants and patients. Young shoots and a flowering part are eaten as a vegetable. The plant is used in religious and domestic celebrations.[3]

It is easy to raise from seed. It is an extremely fast growing banana given heat, but not as hardy as the Abyssinian Banana (Ensete ventricosum), and is not as well known.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Plant Detail - Ensete glaucum (Roxb.) Cheesman". NParks Flora & Fauna Web. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Ensete glaucum - Snow Banana". Flowers of India. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Ensete glaucum". India Biodiversity Portal. Archived from the original on Sep 18, 2021.