Plantain (Musa balbisiana)

Family: Musaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Musa balbisiana or commonly known as Plantain is a native to eastern South Asia, northern Southeast Asia, and souther China. It is a perennial plant that reaches a height of around 6 m, with pseudo stems of up to 30 cm in base diameter. The leaves are upright and in clumps. The flowers are red to maroon. The fruits are pale yellow and inedible when raw due to its numerous seeds. It is cooked when ripe.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Shoots, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is not often eaten raw, being unpopular because of its seediness. The ripe fruit is boiled, baked, fried, or roasted. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; The fruit is not often eaten raw, being unpopular because of its seediness.; The ripe fruit is boiled, baked, fried, or roasted.; Juice from the ripe fruits is mixed with sugar and then fermented into a type of vinegar.

Habitat & North American Range

Forests, on forest edges, in ravines and on water sides. (Zone 9)