Musa textilis
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ABACA, or Manila hemp, is the fiber of Musa texlilis, a native of the Philippine Islands, where it is grown for commerce. The plant is like the banana in general habit of growth, although it is seed-bearing. It is propagated by seeds or suckers or root-cuttings. When two to five years old it is at maturity, reaching a height of 6 to 15 feet and a diameter of trunk of 6 to 15 inches. The fiber is derived from the thick sheathing leaf-stems, the stems being cut between the flowering and fruiting stages. After seed-bearing, the top or "plant" dies and new suckers or shoots spring from the roots. The first stalks may be cut as early as twenty months after planting, and the plantation is cut over about once in eight months until it becomes unproductive, which will be fifteen to forty years. New stalks continue to arise as the old ones are cut. The fiber, as found in the market, is coarse and stiff and 6 to 12 feet long. In the better grades it is very strong. The fruit of Musa textilis is not edible.
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Cultivation
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Propagation
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Pests and diseases
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Species
Gallery
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References
External links
- w:Musa textilis. Some of the material on this page may be from Wikipedia, under the Creative Commons license.
- Musa textilis QR Code (Size 50, 100, 200, 500)
