Indian dwarf banana
Musa mannii
Family: Musaceae
What it is like
A small banana. It grows 1.5 m tall. The false stem is slender. It has purple black spots. The leaves are oblong and 60-80 cm long by 18-20 cm wide. The leaves are green but the midrib is red. The leaf stem is 20-25 cm long. The flowering shoot is erect at first and then droops. The flowering stem is 15-18 cm long and 2 cm across. It is red with white down. The bracts are red. Fruit are 5-6 cm long. They are light green to yellow when ripe. The ripe fruit can be eaten. The seeds are 5-6 mm long. There are 20-30 seeds in each fruit. It produces many suckers.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It cannot tolerate frost. It needs a well drained rich soil. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens hothouse. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, India, Northeastern India
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds. It is best to soak the seeds for 3 days.