Musella Lasiocarpa

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Contents

Species Name

Musella lasiocarpa

Synonyms

Chinese Yellow Banana

Golden Lotus Banana

Pictures

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(credit austinl01)

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(credit austinl01)

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(credit austinl01)

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(credit austinl01)

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(credit austinl01)

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(credit bigdog)

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(credit taylor_loves_bananas)

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(credit barna)

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(credit Inoneear)

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(credit Gabe15)

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(credit Gabe15)

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(credit Gabe15)

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(credit Gabe15)

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(credit Gabe15)

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(credit Gabe15)

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(credit Dombo)

Description

The Chinese Yellow Banana is a rare variety of banana from Yunnan, China. In its native land, the banana grows in high mountain regions with an elevation of 8,000 feet! Musella lasiocarpa has gray-green foliage, but it's grown for its large yellow flower which last up to 8 months! After flowering, tiny fruits may appear with dark, black seeds. This banana multiplies quickly producing many pups throughout the year. The Yellow Banana is a very unique and unusual banana for any garden and is very easy to grow.

Origin

China (extinct in wild)

  • Date realized in trade - 1998?

Becoming more popular

Usage

Ornamental

Tropical foliage

Grown for its flower

Flowering

  • Large, yellow flower; Occasionally a single plant can produce several flowers that emerge from the pseudostem
  • Time To Bloom - 2 to 3 years
  • Flower lasts up to 8 months and can withstand frost
  • Flowers attract wasps and bees

Cultivation

  • Mature Height - 4 to 6 feet
  • Survival Zone - 6b to 10
  • Fruiting Zone - 7 to 10
  • Cold Hardiness - at least 10°F with winter mulch and protection; can stand light frost without leaf damage
  • Wind - Very wind tolerant unlike most bananas; leaves will not tear under normal windy conditions
  • Sun - Full sun
  • Taste Description - Fruit is not edible
  • Propagation - Difficult to separate pups; divide larger pups in late spring or summer; it is necessary to dig very close to the parent plant in order to get some roots for the pup; usually easier to dig up the entire clump to separate the pups
  • Personal Notes - Like all bananas, the yellow banana is a heavy feeder. Apply steady applications of fertilizer (such as organic products like cow manure or fish emulsion or synthetic products such as a balanced fertilizer) throughout the growing season; apply a good layer of mulch around the base of the banana to conserve soil moisture
  • Growing Tips - Grow in well draining, amended soil; protect from winter cold in zones 6 and 7; consider digging the banana up, storing in a crawl space or unheated garage for the winter in colder areas, and then plant outside again the following spring; separate pups very carefully as they have small corms close to the parent plant

Known Afflictions

  • Pests - No pests are common with this banana
  • Susceptible Diseases - No known diseases

Research Notes

  • Links to useful discussion threads in the forum:

Musella lasiocarpa in a market

Musella lasiocarpa discussion

  • Typical Price Range - $25 to $50
$28.99 in Inoneear's photo taken at a marketplace.

Members Growing This Banana

External

  • Links

Fairfield Botanical Garden Views

Musella Flower Progression Pictures

Nature Products Network

  • Sources

Triple Oaks Nursery