Common Name:

General Information

Musa salaccensis is an evergreen, perennial, herbaceous plant growing about 3 metres tall[]. The plant produces a clump of large pseudostems that make it appear rather tree-like. These stems grow up from a short, perennial stoloniferous rootstock[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible inflorescence and stem. It is also sometimes cultivated as a food crop[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Indonesia.

Habitat

Forest edges, in ravines and on water sides.[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,200 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 24 - 30°c, but can tolerate 15 - 35°c[]. Dormant plants can be killed by temperatures of 8°c or lower, whilst young growth can be killed at 12°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 4,000mm[].
Grows best in full sun or light shade[]. Succeeds in most fertile soils, so long as they are well-drained[]. Prefers a position sheltered from strong winds, otherwise its large leaves can get torn to shreds[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[].

Edible Uses

Inflorescence[]. A bitter flavour, it is cooked and eaten as a vegetable[]. The inner part is eaten raw with fried noodles, after boiling in water, or after roasting in hot ashes. It can also be used in soups[].

The lower, soft inner part of the pseudostem is eaten fresh or boiled with a capsicum sauce or curries[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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