Table 2.
Wild and domesticated traits in E. ventricosum
| Character | Wild enset | Domesticated enset |
|---|---|---|
| Morphology | ||
| Leaf colour | Green/glaucous | Green, red, yellow, purple |
| Midrib colour | Green | Green, red, yellow, purple, black |
| Petiole colour | Green | Green, red, yellow, purple, black |
| Pseudostem colour | Green | Green, red, yellow, purple, black |
| Pseudostem shape | Conical | Conical, basal enlargement possible in some varieties |
| Corm size | Small | Enlarged |
| Corm colour | Dark (reported sometimes black) | Cream to white |
| Wax | Not present | Present on ventral leaf blade |
| Discoloration of tissue after cutting | Present | Uncommon |
| Palatability | ||
| Pseudostem edibility | Bitter | Edible |
| Corm edibility | Bitter, largely inedible | Variable, generally sweet. Edible |
| Genetics | ||
| Genetic diversity | High | High |
| Chromosome number | n = 9 | n = 9 |
| Ploidy | Diploid | Diploid |
| Reproduction | ||
| Reproduction method | Sexual | Asexual (sexual also possible) |
| Sucker production | No | In some varieties |
| Seed dormancy | Unknown | Unknown |
| Other uses | ||
| Medicinal use | None reported | Yes |
| Fibre | None reported | Yes |
| Disease susceptibility | ||
| Bacterial wilt | Unknown | Highly susceptible (but some are tolerant) |
| Mealybug | Unknown | Highly susceptible |
| Frost | Unknown, suspected intolerant | Tolerant |