Ensete Ventricosum Abyssinian Banana

Ensete ventricosum (F.M.J. Welwitsch) E.E. Cheesman Abyssinian Banana (Ensete edule, Musa arnoldiana, Musa davyae, Musa ensete, Musa ventricosa) • Ensete ventricosum is also known as Banana Grueso, Ethiopian Banana, False Banana, or Wild Banana; Ensete ventricosum has reddish variegated foliage, particularly on the pseudo-stem, main vein of the leaf blade, and undulate leaf margins; Abyssinian Banana is very stout with a thicker trunk In relation to its size than with most Musa spp.; Ensete do not generally sucker, but rather are grown as single stem specimens; the large paddle-shaped leaves, potentially to 15 long, are held somewhat more erectly than on most Musa; the contrast of red variegation and lush green foliage with prominent pinnate lateral veins is very striking; although plants can reach 10 to 20 in height over time, they seldom obtain this size in our regional landscapes as the shoots are cold intolerant and roots are only hardy into USDA hardiness zone 9; the genus name means sword-like, perhaps in reference to the leaves; the specific epithet means swollen, probably in reference to the pseudostems. • Abyssinian Banana is easy to grow in warm conditions, but requires several years, perhaps as many as six or seven, where the shoots are not damaged to flower reliably; best growth is in full sun, but partial shade is acceptable; this African native adapts well to container culture and is sometimes grown in high light interiorscapes; more frequently we find it used as a summer annual in much of the USA, including our region, where its rapid growth permits it to reach height of 8 to 10 in single season; regular irrigation and fertilization will permit maximum foliage growth which is the showy portion of the plant. • Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' (Ensete maurelii) known as the Red Abyssinian Banana is sometimes treated in the literature as a separate species; this is seed propagated variant which is reported to occur in the wild, in which case perhaps more correctly classified as Ensete ventricosum f. maurelii, differs from the species type in having red backing to the leaves and in many cases a red flush to the entire leaf; the intensity of the red blush is greatest on the underside of the leaf and basal and marginal portions of the upper surfaces; otherwise it offers a similar bold habit and requires similar growth conditions as the species type.