Musa acuminata subsp. zebrina (Blood Red Banana)


Botanical Information

FamilyMusaceae
GenusMusa
Speciesacuminata
Subspecieszebrina
CategoryTropicals
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
The fruit is used in a wide variety of culinary dishes and beverages. While leaves are commonly used to wrap foods. The unopened flower bud is also serves as a food.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10 - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH1c - H3
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-5 - 10
Temperature (°F)23 - 50
Height3 - 6 m
Spread2 - 3 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodJune, July, August

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionMusa is a genus of 68 species and 2 hybrids that includes bananas and plantains.
ID CharacteristicThe iconic edible fruit that the plants produce and the dark red 'splotches' on its leaves.
PropagationBy division of offsets.
CultivationBest grown in full sun with organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil. Needs consistently moist soils that do not dry out. Fertilize regularly during growing season. Site plants in areas protected from strong winds which can severely damage the large leaves.
PestsAphids, spider mites, mealybugs, scale, anthracnose, wilt and mosaic virus.
Notable SpecimensCentennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Bark/Stem DescriptionLeaf sheathes overlap to form a trunk-like pseudostem (false stem). After flowering and fruiting, the pseudostem dies, but the roots push out new shoots (suckers) which form new pseudostems.
Leaf DescriptionHuge, paddle-shaped leaves with dark red-brown variegation, leaves to 2 - 3.5 m long.
Flower DescriptionLarge and showy.
Fruit DescriptionEdible fruits known as bananas or plantains.
Colour DescriptionLeaves are green and red-brown. Fruit can be green, yellow, or red.
Texture DescriptionLeaves are smooth and leathery.

Photographs