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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Musa is an evergreen Perennial growing to 6 m (19ft) by 3 m (9ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Musa ensete. M. ventricosum.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

The chopped and grated pulp of the corms and leaf sheaths is fermented and used as a flour in making kocho bread[134, 177, 183]. 100% kocho flour or a mixture of kocho and other cereal flours may be used[183]. It is said to taste like a good quality bread[2]. The endosperm of the seed is consumed as a food[183]. The base of the flower stalk is edible cooked[2, 177].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the plant[134].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a very sheltered sunny position in a fertile moisture-retentive soil[200]. This species is not very hardy in Britain but it succeeds outdoors on the Scilly Islands[134] and is sometimes used in sub-tropical bedding[1]. Plants can survive light frosts but they require ample shelter from the wind[166]. It should be possible to grow plants in tubs, keeping them outdoors in the summer and bringing them into a greenhouse or conservatory in the winter[K]. The leaves can be up to 6 metres long[188].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Sow the large seed in individual pots in a heated greenhouse at any time of the year. Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water beforehand[200]. Germination should take place within 3 months. Grow on the plants for at least a couple of winters in the greenhouse before attempting to grow them outdoors. Division of suckers in spring. Try to get as much of the sucker's roots out as possible without disturbing the main plant too much. Pot the suckers up and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse until they are established.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AFRICA: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa (Transvaal (north))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Ensete ventricosum	Ethiopian Banana, Abyssinian banana	Perennial	6.0	9-11		LMH	N	M	2	0	1
Musa acuminata	Dwarf Banana, Edible banana	Perennial	3.0	10-12		LMH	SN	M	5	2	2
Musa balbisiana	Plantain, Plantain Banana	Perennial	5.0	9-12	F	LMH	SN	M	4	1	2
Musa basjoo	Japanese Banana	Perennial	3.0	7-10		LMH	N	M	2	2	2
Musa textilis	Abaca	Perennial	3.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	0	0	5
Musa x paradisiaca	Banana	Perennial	8.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	5	2	2
Musanga cecropioides	Corkwood	Tree	20.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	3	4	4

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Musa - (Welw.)Cheesman.