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Glite Dictionary
Musa basjoo

Musa basjoo

9.4
A banana plant that can live in cool weather and is grown for its tropical leaves rather than its fruit
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Musa basjoo
  • Gardeners often plant Musa basjoo for its tropical appearance rather than for fruit.

Examples

  • The Musa basjoo thrived in the garden, producing lush green leaves even in cool temperatures.

  • Gardeners love to grow Musa basjoo for its lush leaves.

  • Because Musa basjoo is hardy, it can survive winters in regions cooler than typical banana species.

  • The Musa basjoo is often used as an ornamental plant.

  • Many landscapers choose to use Musa basjoo in their designs due to its striking foliage.

  • With its impressive height and large leaves, Musa basjoo adds a tropical vibe to any garden.

  • Homeowners often plant Musa basjoo around their patios to create a lush, exotic atmosphere.

Synonyms

Japanese banana
vsMusa basjoo
8.2

A garden plant with large tropical leaves that survives cool winters

is the formal Latin species name used in scientific contexts

Surface Forms

Musa basjoo singular
Musa basjoos plural

Morphology

Musa + basjoo

The form combines the genus name 'Musa' (banana plants) with a species epithet, so a learner who knows 'Musa' could infer this refers to a kind of banana plant. However, 'basjoo' is an opaque proper/species name and botanical binomial conventions (and the specific senses like ornamental use or native range) are not predictable for a B1 learner, so the meaning is only partially inferable.

Etymology

Musa basjoo mixes the Latin word Musa for bananas and a Japanese name basjoo, so it literally points to a 'Japanese banana'. That's why Musa basjoo is grown for its big tropical leaves and because it can survive cooler weather, not for eating.