Musella lasiocarpa
Family: Musaceae
What it is like
A banana family plant. The false stem is 60 cm long and 20 cm across. It has horizontal rhizomes. The leaves are 50 cm long by 20 cm wide. The flowering stalks are 20-25 cm. There are 8-10 flowers per bracts. The flowers are bright yellow. The fruit are 3 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. The seeds are brown to black.
There is one Musella species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in mixed forest at 1,500-2,500 m altitude in SW China. It can tolerate dry climates. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China (country/location of origin), Myanmar, North America, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, USA
How it is used for food
The inner stem after the leaf sheaths are removed in soaked in lime water for several hours then cooked. It is also sliced and dried then cooked.
It is a cultivated plant.
Edible parts
False stem pith, flowers