Plantain, Plantain Banana
Musa balbisiana

Family: Musaceae

What it is like

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.

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.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Forests, on forest edges, in ravines and on water sides.

E. Asia - China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

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

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The fruit has medicinal properties.

Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.

Other

Rating: 2

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

Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

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. Mature growth can be killed by temperatures of 8°c or lower, whilst young growth can be killed at 12°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,300 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 5,000mm. Prefers a position in full sun or light shade. Succeeds in most moderate to fertile soils that are well-drained. Requires a position sheltered from strong winds. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5. 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).

Propagating it: Seed -

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 9-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

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.

Synonyms

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