Musa itinerans

(former Musa sp Yunnan, Yunnan Banana)

A new banana species which was introduced to Germany only in the late nineties of the last century. This species grows in Yunnan up to altitudes of 8100 feet. It was discovered by seed collectors who were at the search of seed of the snow banana, Ensete glaucum.

The seed imported by Tobias Spanner didn't look to Ensete seed but rather to Musa seed. This species can become more than 17 feet tall, has a blue put tires strongly, almost white, pseudotrunk, with top sided bluishgreen leaves, which are at the underside reddish. Flower and fruit haven't been watched yet here in Europe. The winter hardiness is lower after my experiences despite the listening promising moutain origin than Musa basjoo, one 7 feet tall two years old plant didn't survive despite the good winter protection in my garden. Do you want success with it in the outdoor cultivation, it should be outplanted as a mature plant which has already suckered. Otherwise you overwinter it by wire bag method.

Musa itinerans in my garden in Hamburg/Germany in August 2001