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Summary

Musa balbisiana or commonly known as Plantain is a native to eastern South Asia, northern Southeast Asia, and souther China. It is a perennial plant that reaches a height of around 6 m, with pseudo stems of up to 30 cm in base diameter. The leaves are upright and in clumps. The flowers are red to maroon. The fruits are pale yellow and inedible when raw due to its numerous seeds. It is cooked when ripe. The underground stem can be eaten as a vegetable. The inner stem and male flower clusters are used in curries. The fruit also has medicinal properties but no detailed information was provided. The leaves can be used as food wrapper or as plates. The stem yields fiber and the whole plant yields dye. Plantain can be propagated by division.

Physical Characteristics

Musa_balbisiana is an evergreen Perennial growing to 5 m (16ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Birds, Bats.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant is not wind tolerant.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Musa × sapientum pruinosa (King ex Baker) A.M.Cowan & Cowan Musa × sapientum pruinosa King ex Baker

Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[418 ]. The fruit is not often eaten raw, being unpopular because of its seediness[301 ]. The ripe fruit is boiled, baked, fried, or roasted[418 ]. Juice from the ripe fruits is mixed with sugar and then fermented into a type of vinegar[301 , 418 ]. Young fruits are used like green papaya in salads and pickles[301 ]. The green, yellow or brown fruits can be 10 - 25cm long. They can be seeded or seedless[418 ]. The underground stem can be eaten as a vegetable[418 ]. The inner stem is sometimes eaten in curries[301 ]. Male flower clusters - sometimes used as an ingredient in curries[301 ].

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.

The fruit has medicinal properties[418 ].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Other Uses The leaves are used for wrapping foods, for cooking and as plates[301 , 418 ]. Fibres can be obtained from the stem[317 ]. The plant yields a dye[317 ].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of the humid tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,200 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23 - 28°c, but can tolerate 16 - 38°c[418 ]. Mature growth can be killed by temperatures of 8°c or lower, whilst young growth can be killed at 12°c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,300 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 5,000mm[418 ]. Prefers a position in full sun or light shade[418 ]. Succeeds in most moderate to fertile soils that are well-drained[418 ]. Requires a position sheltered from strong winds[418 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[418 ]. Flowering Time: Mid Summer Late Summer/Early Fall. Bloom Color: Fuchsia (Red-Purple). Spacing: 36-48 in. (90-120 cm) 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m).

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed -

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Plantain, Plantain Banana, Aatha kala, Athia kol, Athiya kol, Bhim thalit, Bicha kala, Bonkera, Chang-el, Chungbi anguoba, Kait dewsan, Kluai taanee, Sau-su-sheth, Wegoin, eti kesel.

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Asia, Australia, China, Colombia, India, Indochina, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand,

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 : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Musa balbisiana	Plantain, Plantain Banana	Perennial	5.0	9-12	F	LMH	SN	M	4	1	2

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.

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Author

Colla

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Musa_balbisiana - Colla