What is the Fruit of the Wise Men?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

November 26, 2001

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The banana (Musa X paradisiaca) is a sterile (unable to reproduce by seed) hybrid, probably the result of a cross between the diploid, Musa acuminata and the tetraploid, M. balbisiana. Exactly where, when, and how the banana came into being is unknown. The oldest written accounts of the banana are from Buddhist texts dated to the 5th Century BC.

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Bananas had been introduced to the Middle East by Alexander the Great in 327 BC. Arab traders carried banana plants down the east coast of Africa and later across the northern coast during their conquests along the Mediterranean. Being a tropical fruit, bananas were unknown to most Europeans. Then sometime in the early centuries AD, bananas got a reputation for being the "forbidden fruit of paradise". Jews and Christians in the Middle East abandoned eating the fruit.

In India, the plant is known as "Fruit of the Wise Men" and is the symbol for prosperity and fertility. The leaves and fruit are used to decorate the doorstep where a wedding is to take place. Rice is not sown until a banana is first planted in one corner of the field to serve as a protective charm and insure an abundant harvest.

It is said that wise men sit in the shade of banana leaves, hence its name: "Fruit of the Wise Men". The banana contains the essential vitamins, complex carbohydrates, protein, carotene, potassium, calcium, and numerous other nutrients. Medical studies have shown that two bananas a day helps reduce blood pressure and are felt to aid in the production of serotonin. Serotonin gives a sense of well-being and helps with mental and physical performance.

Perhaps, by trial and error those wise men in India figured that out. Maybe it was not just the shade that put that "wise man" smile on their faces.

For some really interesting recipes using bananas, click on the link:

http://www.dmgi.com/bananas.htm

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Dwarf Banana

Springhill Nursery®

Handsome, Dwarf Banana plants bear clusters of pendulous pink flowers in summer followed by tasty, 3-6" long bananas. Grows to 3-6' tall in a container-ideal for a patio, deck or sunroom. Makes a fabulous houseplant, too. (Note: In zones 8 and colder, move plant indoors during winter.) Kit includes one plant, 10" planter, soil and saucer. Shipped in 4" pots. Musa 'Dwarf Cavendish' Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery! [ All Small Fruits! ]

Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you. Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

Colocasia, 'Illustris'

Springhill Nursery®

Big, bold, tropical plant makes a dramatic accent for partially shaded areas, pool sides and patios! Large, heart-shaped leaves have a pale purple hue highlighted with light green veins.

Grows to 6' tall with a 4-6' spread. Not winter hardy in most areas; move indoors or dig up tubers in fall. Shipped in 4" pot. Deer tend to avoid. Colocasia antiquorum 'Illustris' Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

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Weeping Pussy Willow Tree

Springhill Nursery®

Create excitement year after year - all year through - with this unusual and hard-to-find specimen tree. Nothing announces the arrival of spring like the Pussy Willow, which has long been a cherished seasonal delight for children and adults alike.

We're pleased to offer it in this unique form. For up to four weeks in late winter and early spring, the Weeping Pussy Willow Tree is adorned with extra-large silver-gray catkins which turn bright yellow and are followed by shiny gray-green leaves.

With its dramatic weeping habit - the pendulous branches drop right to the ground - it presents a graceful shape even after the catkins and leaves are gone in late autumn.

This compact ornamental grows 6-7' high and spreads 5-6', an excellent size for accenting a small garden, front yard or patio area. Prefers a sunny spot with moist soil. Cut the catkin-bearing branches to create striking bouquets.

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Fern Collection

Springhill Nursery®

Bring elegance to any shady spot all summer long. Ferns thrive in places where nothing else will grow and bring the beauty of forest glens to your landscape. Enjoy special savings on three lovely tropical Ferns.

The Fern Collection includes one each of the following ferns:

Ostrich Plume Fern
Lady Fern
Christmas Fern

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Special Perennial Collection

Springhill Nursery®

Dare to be different! Unique selections to spice up your garden from early summer to fall. The Special Perennial Collection includes three each:

Rudbeckia ‘Summer Magic Mix’
English Delphinium Mix
And receive one each of:
Aruncus dioicus
Rudbeckia ‘Prairie Sun’
Moniere Hummelo Stachys

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Shady Nook Garden

Springhill Nursery®

Dramatic ferns are the perfect companion to the heart shaped, architectural leaves of Hosta. Their highlight of this display is the beautiful mixture of Asiatic Hybrid Lilies that rise above the other plants to bloom in early summer.

Every home deserves a special place of serene beauty and our Shady Nook Garden will turn the shaded spots in your yard into a beautiful retreat. The shapes and textures blend together to provide a unique sense of tranquility with inspiring touches of color.

Shady Nook Gardens can be planted to border a pathway; these same coordinated plants can be combined in a variety of ways to bring beauty to any shady or semi-shady spot around your home. They can turn a north-facing corner or foundation- a place where you thought nothing except weed would ever grow into an elegant area.

To provide maximum versatility for this collection, we have selected plants of varying heights that will extend the blooming season and provide touches of color from spring thought the summer.

A regular catalog value ~~$141.83~~

In this collection, you’ll receive:

3- Ostrich Plume Ferns
1- White Bleeding Heart
3- Palace Purple Coral Bells
3- Forget me nots
3- Chantreyland Violas
3- Green & White Hosta
1- Royal Standard Hosta
1- Blue Hosta
1- Pink Dwarf Bleeding Heart
3- Mixed Monarda
10- Great American Lily Mix
3- Autumn Red Daylilies
6- Lily- of- the- Valley

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