Japanese Banana

Musa basjoo

Basic Information

Family: Musaceae

Genus: musa

Plant ID (slug): musa-basjoo

Numeric ID: 23617

USDA Hardiness: 7-10

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Musa basjoo is an evergreen Perennial growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Japan.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Nectar Edible Uses: The nectar of the flowers is sweet and drinkable[183].

Medicinal Uses

Diuretic Febrifuge Sialagogue The roots are diuretic, febrifuge and sialagogue[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of beriberi, constipation, jaundice, dropsy, restlessness due to heat, leucorrhoea and croton bean poisoning[147, 218]. The leaves are diuretic[218].