Herb: Dwarf Banana


Latin name: Musa acuminata


Family: Musaceae (Banana Family)



Edible parts of Dwarf Banana:

Fruit - raw or dried for later use. Sweet. The fruit is up to 12cm long and 2.5cm wide.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
3 m
(9 3/4 foot)

Habitat of the herb:

Shaded and moist ravines, marshlands, semi-marshlands and slopes from near sea level to 1200 metres.

Propagation of Dwarf Banana:

Seed - sow the large seed in individual pots in the spring in a warm greenhouse at about 20°C. Grow the seedlings on in a rich soil, giving occasional liquid feeds. Keep the plants in the greenhouse for at least three years before trying them outdoors. Division of suckers in late spring. Dig up the suckers with care, trying to cause the least disturbance to the main plant. Pot them up and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse until they are well established.

Cultivation of the herb:

Shaded and moist ravines, marshlands, semi-marshlands and slopes from near sea level to 1200 metres.

Medicinal use of Dwarf Banana:

None known

Known hazards of Musa acuminata:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.