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Musa tikap
Musa tikap O. Warburg, Tropenpflanzen : 34 (1903).
| Accepted name |
none
- not determined, but probably a form of Musa textilis
sensu lato. |
| Synonyms |
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| Authorities |
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| Section |
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| Distribution |
Caroline
Islands (that was where Warburg found it). |
| Description |
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| References |
Champion 1967 : 43, Fawcett
1913 : 267, Index Kewensis, Uphof
1968, Warburg 1903. |
| Comments |
According
to Fawcett, M. tikap is "very near M.
textilis but with a larger, straighter fruit, with greyish pulp and blackish
brown larger seeds." Fawcett mentions that it is the origin of native
hemp and Uphof also comments that the leaves yield a locally used fibre.
Musa tikap is not mentioned by Cheesman in his discussion of M. textilis.
I think that Musa tikap is most probably a form of Musa textilis, or
perhaps a Musa textilis x Musa balbisiana hybrid introduced to
Micronesia by the original inhabitants. Musa textilis is a very useful
fibre plant, probably originating in The Philippines from where it was spread by humans
through trade or migration. Takuya Nagaoka informs me that "tikap" is the
name for a fibre banana on Pohnpei and no doubt is the origin of the name applied by
Warburg. I have not yet seen Warburg 1903 and I am not sure if he is reporting
first- or secondhand information. |
With
acknowledgements to Takuya Nagaoka
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