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Musa rubra

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Musa rubra Wall. ex Kurz

Family Name: Musaceae
Synonyms: Musa laterita Cheesman 
Common Name: Bronze banana, 腊红梦幻蕉, 缅甸橙色花巴蕉

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Growth Form Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Maximum Height 2 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution India, Myanmar, Thailand
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology Plants have green, slender pseudostems that grow up to 2 m in height that do not have any wax bloom on them. Leaves are medium dark green in colour with reddish midribs. Size of leaf can be up to 1.5 m long and 0.4 m wide and joined to petioles that can be as long as 0.5 m. Leaf shape is obovate with a truncated apex.Produces an erect inflorescence with brick-red bracts. Fruits are borne on a very compact bunch and pressed parallel to the rachis. Individual fruits can reach 10 cm long, which turn yellow when ripe. Seeds are black, round and flattened on one side.Plant produces suckers freely that emerge far from the mother plant when grown in the ground. Adopts a rather open habit and can become an unruly plant that soon "travels" from its initial planted location. Long rhizomes will not be apparent if plant is grown in a container.Specific name "laterita" refers to the brick-red colour which is similar to that of laterite, a type of tropical soil.Plants are best grown under semi-shaded conditions, although they can be adapted to grow under direct sunshine. Brighter light conditions will lead to shorter plants. Grow best if planted in fertile, well draining soil that is enriched with organic matter. Keep the roots moist at all times. Propagated by seeds, suckers or division.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses General, Container Planting
Usage Hazard - Cons Invasive / Potentially Invasive
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks Running rhizomes - can become a nuisance as new plants appear far from where it was initially planted.

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference Lots of Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Propagation Method Seed, Stolon / Runner, Sucker, Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Glossy / Shiny
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Rosulate / Rosette
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Truncate
Typical Foliar Area Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious
Flower Colour(s) Red

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Yellow / Golden
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Berry

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 952
Species ID 2246
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 31 January 2025.
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