Mussella Bannana Plants
Musella are best known as the ‘Golden Lotus banana’ with only two species, Musella lasiocarpa, and Musella splendida in the genus Musaceae, these are native to South East Asia and are also called Chinese dwarf banana. Related to Musa and Ensete, however they are very different.
M. splendida is named for the the plant’s bright yellow terminal flower, this one is from Vietnam and is also known as Choi Canh.
M. Lasiocarpa really a cold tolerant ‘dwarf’ banana plant grown for the ‘golden lotus flower’. Long flowering with flower itself lasting 6 months and more. However the flower which is produced before leaves is most striking when it is in the first 3 months.
Supposedly Sacred to Buddhists and often seen in Buddhist architecture, so the story goes, this plant is a relative newcomer and was originally found in the Kunming area of China where it is cultivated fro pig food. M. Lasiocarpa will grow to nearly 2m. Reproduces from suckers fairly easily and is cold tolerant. M. Lasiocarpa can be grown from seeds.
Musella can be grown in pots, we recommend some protection from frosts.
Musella splendida was first found in Vietnam in 2002
These plants are not readily available in Australia