FREE: **RARE and EXTINCT IN THE WILD** Be the ENVY of the neighborhood!! The Banana Lotus :)

With its inflorescence resembling a lotus flower in bud and lasting up to 250 days, the golden lotus banana has become a sacred plant of Buddhist monks in the tropical region of Yunnan.

Previously known as Musa lasiocarpa, it has recently been transferred to the genus Ensete based on an analysis of DNA sequence evidence published in the journal Taxon by Ai-Zhong Liu, W. John Kress & De-Zhu Li in February 2010. This conclusion has now been questioned in a 2010 publication by Li et al. who suggest that Musella lasiocarpa may indeed be the correct name. Further studies are needed to provide clarity on the relationships within the banana family (Musaceae).

Geography & Distribution
The golden lotus banana is restricted to south-western China (southern Guizhou, central and western Yunnan), and occurs between 1,500 and 2,500 m above sea level. This species is found growing semi-wild (or semi-cultivated) in mixed conifer-oak forest, where it is locally common.

DescriptionMore Information

A bee visiting a 'hand' of flowers in the axil of a bract of Ensete lasiocarpa (Image: Wolfgang Stuppy)

Ensete lasiocarpa is a perennial plant with horizontal rhizomes (underground stems). A single plant gives rise to a cluster of ‘stems’, which are 30-80 cm tall and 12-30 cm thick. These 'stems' are actually, as in all other bananas, 'pseudostems' made up of tightly packed leaf sheaths. The yellow flowers are about 1.5 to 3 cm long and produced in conspicuous inflorescences which are borne directly at the apex (tip) of each pseudostem. The flowers are unisexual and female flowers are found at the base of the inflorescence whereas male flowers are produced closer to the apex.

Threats & Conservation
As a result of intense agriculture, the natural habitat of Ensete lasiocarpa has become highly fragmented. In fact, truly wild populations are unknown, which is why the species may have to be classified as 'Extinct in the Wild'. The remaining populations are considered to be 'semi-wild' ones. These populations are maintained only through cultivation, thanks to the cultural and economic significance of this species to local people.

In order to preserve the still existing genetic diversity of the species in China, ex-situ conservation measures would be helpful, especially breeding programmes that analyse and recombine the existing genetic variation so as to avoid inbreeding.

UsesMore Information
In its native China, the golden lotus banana has been used by local people for centuries. Besides being revered as a sacred plant by Buddhists, it is also used as a vegetable, a resource plant for honey production, pig fodder, weaving material, wine making and for erosion control.

After soaking in water for several hours, the inner parts of the pseudostem can be eaten as a vegetable. Both the pseudostem and the rhizome are rich in starch and are sometimes fermented to make wine.

CultivationMore Information
Grown for its unique and exotic appearance, the golden lotus banana tolerates drier and colder habitats than other members of the banana family. At home in China, the yellow lotus banana blooms all year round, with most flowers occurring from February to August. It survives regular frosts with no ill effect. In the UK it can be grown in zone 9 (hardy to a minimum temperature of -6.8 °C), but lower temperatures might be tolerated if winter protection is provided. The plants are easy to grow in well-drained soil and thrive on high-nitrogen fertiliser, but they are susceptible to spider mite attacks. In Europe, well-fertilised plants kept in heated glasshouses can grow up to 2 m tall.

First soak the seeds for 24 to 36 hours
Mix 1/4 sand with perlite or vermiculite. ( You can use just plain seed starting mix just fine)
place in small plastic bag and fill with the mix and seeds.
Then place in the fridge for 2 to 4 weeks. ( the longer in here the quicker they will grow outside of the fridge :)
But keep watch and add water every 3 to 5 days.(moist not soaked) They might sprout while in there. Once you take them out:
Place on a heating mat set to 85 to 90 degrees F. (put them in a small sprouting pot obviously not the bag)
They DO NOT NEED LIGHT to germinate.
What they need is heat and moisture.
So basically to get them to sprout you are going to want to put them someplace where they can stay in a shady place but be warm. A heating mat works great.
Once they sprout they need light. I use a indoor growing light. You can use a windowsill if you do not have one.

NOW if you do not have a heating mat:
Place the mixture with the seeds in a plastic bag with some water added to keep moist. Place them in the warmest place in your home. They will germinate. They will take a little longer but they will.
OR
you can plant them in the ground in the spring :)

Does it need protection then in the winter months? Is it better to start indoors vs outdoors. We live in Dallas, which I know is south of NY, but wondering how you cultivate from seedling to plant?

WOW this is the most assume plant I have ever seen

Cool Auction,
Good Luck with it

I have a black thumb these days, but your plants look amazing! Thank you for keeping these alive and going.

Yup gotta have one amazing

F&W :)

awww I want one so bad now I love just Nguyen flowers especially exotic ones just can't seem to get my hands on some of the seeds if u have any more auctions like this please let me know I'm low on credits right now but will have some soon

F&W

I am a plant fanatic. I worked as a landscaper until I became disabled. I live in a small apartment with a very small space to plant flowers, probably 3 x 5. Could I possibly get just a few seeds without messing up your order system?

If need be, i would be willing to pay cash for just a few seeds.

Very pretty! I would bid but I can't even keep a wild flower alive O_o lol