Abacá
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Abacá, ah buh KAH, (Musa textilis) is a species of banana native to the Philippines, grown widely as well in Borneo and Sumatra. The plant is of major economical importance, being harvested for its fibre, called Manila hemp, extracted from the large, oblong leaves and stems. On average, the plant grows about 20 feet (6 metres) tall. The fibre is used for making twines and ropes. The plant's name is sometimes spelt Abaká.
Composition
The leaves grow from the trunk of the plant, and the bases of the leaves form a sheath (covering) around the trunk. These sheaths contain the valuable fibre. The coarse fibres range from 5 to 11 1/2 feet (1.5 to 3.5 metres) in length. They are composed primarily of the plant materials cellulose, lignin, and pectin. After the fibre has been separated, it is sold under the name Manila. The fibre gets its name from the capital of the Philippines.
Harvesting
Growers harvest abacá fields every three to eight months. They cut down the mature plants, but allow the roots to remain in the ground. New plants then grow from the old roots. The leaf sheaths are detached in strips. The pulp is scraped off, leaving only the fibre strands, which are twisted into rope. Abacá fibre is strong, buoyant, and has a great natural resistance to water, sun, and wind. Abacá is also used for paper products.
Scientific classification
The abacá plant belongs to the banana family, Musaceae. Its scientific name is Musa textilis.
Other common names for Manila hemp include Cebu hemp and Davao hemp.
External sources of information
-The World Book encyclopedia set, 1988.
External links
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