In Place and Out of Place

My friend recently purchased a Chinese Elm—that is a Bonsai of a diminutive elm. Smitten by the bug she wanted to find another plant—perhaps a Fig tree.

On my last visit to the Bonsai nursery all the plants were inside, but today many were outside. I roamed about while she looked for a plant. Then I came upon this rather interesting yellow plant. While standing there looking at it I heard someone say, "We've had it for three years and this is the first year it bloomed." I turned around and a man with pierced ears, eyebrows and tongue smiled. "It comes from China and likes the cold during the winter."

And the delight of the unexpected—I listened to the story of this particular Yellow Lotus Banana. (Musella lasiocarpa)

Here's some additional info : "Musella lasiocarpa is a rare variety of ornamental banana from China, endemic to South West Yunnan where it grows high in the mountains up to 2500 m altitude. Chinese Yellow Banana is know for its brilliant yellow flower, not the fruit. This Banana is also known as the Golden Lotus Banana since the flower resembles a Lotus flower just before it opens. This banana also has a greater tolerance for colder climates since it orgins are in the mountains, all the way to Zone 7! Foliage is a grey-green color and the stalk can get to 6 feet tall."

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