Ensete ventricosum (Abyssinian Banana, Ethiopian or False Banana, Red Banana, Wild Banana)


Botanical Information

FamilyMusaceae
GenusEnsete
Speciesventricosum
SynonymsMusa arnoldiana, Musa ventricosa, Musa ensete
CategoryPerennials, Tropicals
OriginEnsete ventricosum's name was first published 1948 in Kew Bull. 1947, p. 101. Its synonyms include Musa arnoldiana De Wild., Musa ventricosa Welw. or Musa ensete J. F. Gmel.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10a - 10b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cool season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH2
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)1 - 5
Temperature (°F)34 - 40
Height2 - 6 m
Spread3 m
GrowthFast

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionEnsete ventricosum is a herbaceous perennial with large, decorative leaves with striking purple midrib and produces red banana-like fruit that is a staple food crop in Ethiopia.
ShapeMounding in youth, tree-like at maturity.
LandscapeBest suited to a more sheltered garden. A popular ornamental with striking tropical foliage. Needs lots of space.
CultivationGrow in a sunny, sheltered location away from wind, requires moist soil. In temperate regions, Marginally more robust than the traditional, cultivated banana (Musa).
PestsApparent lack of pests and diseases when grown outdoors. Mealybug may be of concern on plants grown indoors.
Notable SpecimensThe Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatOpen mountain forests of North Africa to Ethiopia.
Leaf DescriptionUpward pointing, can grow up to 6 m long.

Photographs