Common Name: Japanese Banana

General Information

Musa basjoo is a robust, herbaceous perennial plant, more or less evergreen in suitable climates. It produces a large, thick stem (actually a pseudostem composed of closely packed leaf sheaths) that can be 250 - 400cm tall. The large leaves are around 200 - 300cm long with a petiole around 30cm long[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. With its ornamental and tropical appearance, it is often cultivated as an ornamental in areas too cold to grow true banana plants.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern China. Introduced and established in Japan and Korea

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Musa basjoo is a subtropical species and is only hardy in the milder areas of the temperate zone. Top growth is cut back to the ground in cold weather, but the roots can survive several degrees of frost with the plant growing back in the spring. The plant usually thrives and fruits in south-western Britain[, ] where it survived the very severe winters of 1985 to 1987[].
Requires a humus-rich, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered position[, , , ]. The large leaves are very easily torn by the wind[].
Roots should be well mulched over winter to confer extra protection on the plant[].
Plants are herbaceous and die down after flowering, forming new shoots from the roots.
Cultivated in Japan as a fibre plant[].

Edible Uses

The nectar of the flowers is sweet and drinkable[].

Medicinal

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

The leaves are diuretic[].

Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the leaf stems[, , , ]. Used for cloth, sails etc[, ]. The fibre can be woven into cloth, which is highly esteemed for making undershirts for summer, as it is lighter than hemp and flax shirts and does not stick to the skin when perspiring[].
The fibre can also be used for making paper[] The leaves are harvested in summer and are soaked in water for 24 hours prior to cooking. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours with lye and then beaten in a ball mill for 4½ hours before being made into paper[].
Lignocellulose nanofibres can be obtained from the pseudostem in a one-step process. These nanofibres have various applications[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse[]. The seed usually germinates rapidly. Pre-soak stored seed for 72 hours in warm water, if it is still floating then it is not viable. Sow in a warm greenhouse in spring, planting one large seed in each pot. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 24 weeks at 22°c[]. Grow the plants on in the greenhouse for at least 3 years before trying them outdoors. The seed remains viable for 2 years[].
Removal of suckers as the plant comes into growth in spring.