Red Abyssinian Banana

Ensete ventricosum (F. M. J. Welwitsch) E. E. Cheesman

Kew Bulletin 2 (2): 101 (1947) and R. E. D. Baker & N. W. Simmonds, Kew Bulletin 8 (3): 405 (1953) with correction in Kew Bulletin 8 (4): 574 (1954). 'Maurelii' Hort. ex M. D. Bois, Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle ser. 2. 2: 688 (1930).

en-SET-ee ven-trah-COSE-um and maur-EL-ee-eye

Musaceae

Explanation of name: Enset is an Ethiopian name for bananas. “Ventricose” means pot-belly-shaped or bulging, probably a reference to the fruits.

Natural range: Ethiopia

Nomenclatural note:  Often sold as E. maurelii, this plant is properly named E. ventorcosum ‘Marurelii’. 

“Moore 1957 describes this plant under the name "Musa Maurelii" which may have been interpreted by some as raising it to species status.  However, this was not Moore's intention and he states specifically that the binomial "Musa Maurelii" has no proper botanical standing under the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.”   “'Maurelii' is sometimes offered commercially as 'Atropurpureum' or 'Rubra' or 'Rubrum' but these are invalid names.   Further, there is no discernible difference in the plants on different U.K. nurseries to warrant such a distinction.  Any differences reported are due only to cultivation conditions that can have quite profound effects on plant colour and morphology.”

(http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drc/genusensete.htm#Introduction)

Recognition:   Red-colored banana plant

Landscape uses: Novelty or accent plant with large reddish leaves.  Fruits not edible.  Usually propagated by tissue culture. Seeds may be used, although germination requires several months and is uneven. Although generally regarded as unlikely to sucker, some tissue-cultured material does form suckers.  (Internet sources below). Dies after flowering.

Internet sources: http://www.stokestropicals.com/red-abyssinian banana-39.htm

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drc/genusensete.htm#Introduction

http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/us/en/product/960/1

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/enseteventrico.htm

Interesting notes:  The flower heads and seeds are sometimes used as human food.  The leaf bases yield useful fibers.