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Tropicals > Musa > Musa acuminata > Musa acuminata subsp. zebrina

Musa acuminata

ssp. zebrina


Blood Red Banana




Family
Musaceae
Genus
Musa
Species
acuminata
Category
Tropicals
Subspecies
zebrina
USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 11
Canadian Hardiness Zone
Requires cold season protection under glass.
RHS Hardiness Zone
H1c - H3
Temperature (°C)
-5 - 10
Temperature (°F)
23 - 50
Height
3 - 6 m
Spread
2 - 3 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
JuneJulyAugust
General Description
Musa is a genus of 68 species and 2 hybrids that includes bananas and plantains.
Cultivation
Best grown in full sun with organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil. Needs consistently moist soils that do not dry out. Fertilize regularly during growing season. Site plants in areas protected from strong winds which can severely damage the large leaves.
Growth
Fast
ID Characteristic
The iconic edible fruit that the plants produce and the dark red 'splotches' on its leaves.
Pests
Aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, scale, anthracnose, wilt and mosaic virus.
Bark/Stem Description
Leaf sheathes overlap to form a trunk-like pseudostem (false stem). After flowering and fruiting, the pseudostem dies, but the roots push out new shoots (suckers) which form new pseudostems.
Leaf Description
Huge, paddle-shaped leaves with dark red-brown variegation, leaves to 2 - 3.5 m long.
Flower Description
Large and showy.
Fruit Description
Edible fruits known as bananas or plantains.
Colour Description
Leaves are green and red-brown. Fruit can be green, yellow, or red.
Texture Description
Leaves are smooth and leathery.
Notable Specimens
Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Propagation
By division of offsets.
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)
The fruit is used in a wide variety of culinary dishes and beverages. While leaves are commonly used to wrap foods. The unopened flower bud is also serves as a food.
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