Dwarf Banana, Edible banana

Musa acuminata

Physical Characteristics

Musa acuminata is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Southern China, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Habitats

South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Shoots Shoots Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or dried for later use[177 ]. A sweet flavour[46 , 166 ]. The fruit is up to 12cm long and 2.5cm wide[200 ]. The male flowers are eaten raw or roasted and eaten like artichokes[301 , 362 ]. Young shoots - cut finely and added to sauces[301 ]. The tender core of the stem is eaten as a vegetable, in a similar manner to bamboo shoots[362 ]. The leaves are occasionally used for wrapping foods[301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antibiotic Antidiarrhoeal Antifungal Antihaemorrhoidal Antitussive Astringent Digestive Dysentery Epilepsy Hypoglycaemic Leprosy Poultice Skin Stings Unripe fruits are astringent and are eaten as a treatment for diarrhoea[254 ]. The peel and pulp of ripe bananas contain antifungal, antibiotic and dopamine factors[362 ]. The ripe banana peel is abortive, and is also used as a salve to ease insect stings and bites[362 ]. Ashes of the unripe peel and leaves are used as a treatment of dysentery, diarrhea and malignant ulcers[362 ]. The leaves, dried and made into a syrup, are used in Cuba to treat coughs and chest conditions such as bronchitis[254 ]. A decoction of the leaves is drunk to treat consumption[311 ]. Painful urination is treated with juice from the leaves, and dysentery is treated with the leaves[311 ]. A poultice of the leaves is used to treat burns and other skin ailments[362 ]. The flowers are cooked as a remedy for bronchitis, dysentery, diabetics and ulcers[362 ]. The root is strongly astringent and has been used to arrest the coughing up of blood[254 ]. The roots are used to treat convulsions[311 ]. A poultice of the roots has been used to treat carbuncles, swellings, digestive disorders and dysentery[362 ].. The pith of the suckers is used to treat burns[311 ]. The stem is used to treat swellings of the armpit and groin and to treat haemorrhoids[311 ]. An infusion of the stem pulp is used to treat dysentery[362 ]. The sap is used as a treatment for epilepsy, leprosy, dysentery, diarrhea, and is applied on insect stings and bites[362 ].

Known Hazards

None known