Musa yunnanensis

Musa yunnanensis
Yunnan banana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Musaceae
Genus: Musa
Species: M. yunnanensis
Binomial name
Musa yunnanensis
Häkkinen & H.Wang[1]
Varieties
  • M. y. var. caii Hakkinen & H.Wang
  • M. y. var. yongpingensis Hakkinen & H.Wang
  • M. y. var. yunnanensis (autonym)
List source : [2]

Musa yunnanensis, commonly known as either Yunnan banana or wild forest banana,[3] is a recently described plant in the banana and plantain family native to Yunnan in southern China. The type specimen was collected in 2005 in Xishuangbanna (an autonomous prefecture bordering on Indochina), at an elevation c. 1,150 meters.[1]

Although M. yunnanesis grows in montane tropical forest, it is both shade and frost tolerant, and sensitive to direct sunlight, and so is essentially an understory plant. Individuals typically reach about 5 – 5.25 meters in height at maturation. Bark on pseudostems is coated in wax that is white with a bluish cast. The upper surface of the leaves are also bluish, though their undersides are red hued.[3]

M. yunnanensis has value to local wildlife; its summer fruits are consumed by birds, bats, and possibly elephants.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b  Musa yunnanensis was originally described and published in Novon; a journal for botanical nomenclature St. Louis, MO. 17: 441-442, f. 1 & 2. 2007 "Name - Musa yunnanensis Hakkinen & H.Wang". Tropicos. Saint Louis, Missouri: Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.tropicos.org/Name/50320037. Retrieved June 3, 2011. 
  2. ^   "Name - Musa yunnanensis Hakkinen & H.Wang subordinate taxa". Tropicos. Saint Louis, Missouri: Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.tropicos.org/Name/50320037?tab=subordinatetaxa. Retrieved June 3, 2011. 
  3. ^ a b c Joachim Jaeck (April 3, 2010). "Musa yunnanensis". bananasraras.org. http://www.bananasraras.org/yunnanensisengl.htm. Retrieved June 3, 2011. 

External links


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