Economic Botany Collection

Catalogue no.:

78 (temporary)

Botanical classification:

MUSACEAE Strelitzia nicolai

Common name:

Banana leaf plant

Geographical description:

Hawaii

Item description:

Necklace made from the stem of the banana leaf plant.

Length:

53cm

No. of beads:

71

Bead size:

1.8cm to 5cm long

Plant information:

Woody plants from southern Africa, now popular ornamentals.

Donor date:

1996

Donor:

Ruth Smith has spent many years collecting botanical jewellery from around the world and donated her large collection to Kew in 2005. It numbers over 200 items, made from various plant parts such as seeds and bark, from a wide range of species.