Red-flowering banana, Scarlet banana
Musa uranoscopus

Family: Musaceae

What it is like

A banana plant with a glossy reddish-green false stem. It grows about 1 m tall. The leaves are glossy and oval. Often they are red at the edges. They are arranged in spirals. The flower heads are erect. The bracts are pink to red. The fruit are oblong and reddish purple. They ripen orange-yellow.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rich, well-drained soils in full sun. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China (country/location of origin), Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by dividing the clump.

Its other names

Local names

Pisang skarlet

Synonyms

Musa coccinea H.C. Andrews;