Closely resembling the cultivated banana plant in appearance the native species is common in the lowland tropical rainforest, especially along watercourses.

Native Banana - Musa banksii form - Photo by Bill Hinton

Bunches may carry as many as twenty fruits. The fruit measure about 2cm in diameter and 13 to 14cm in length. The fruits turn yellow with maturity and consist mainly of hard dark seeds each a little larger than a match head. The flesh is white and sparse.

The NATIVE BANANA prompted Sir Joseph Banks to record in his diary that the fruit was so small and full of seed that it is scarcely edible.

Regardless of the low culinary opinion Europeans may have for them undoubtedly they were enjoyed by the Aborigines for the flavour is not unpleasant. It is an excellent garden subject, easily cultivated and is an interesting conversation piece.

Propogation may be carried out either by seed of suckers.