A large, palm-like shrub with bare stems and banana-like leaves. It bears large cream and purple and cream flowers which are rich in nectar
FLOWER COLOUR:  
AVERAGE SIZE (H) x (W): 8m x 4m
FLOWERING TIME:   J F M A M J J A S O N D
FRUITING TIME:   J F M A M J J A S O N D

ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS:
This tree attracts a host of creatures:
Sunbirds feed on the nectar and in turn pollinate the plant;
Monkeys feed on the flowers;
The leaves are eaten by the caterpillar of the Banana Tree Nightfighter;
Birds such as doves and tinkerbirds feed on the seeds;
Robins may nest in older plants;
The bases of the leaves can store a little reservoir of water in them to provide water for the breeding ponds of the Forest Tree Frog (Leptopelis natalensis)


MAINTENANCE:
Low maintenance.

WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Water moderately.

GARDEN THEMES:
Forest, rockery, tropical, water, woodland

LANDSCAPING USES:
An architectural plant suitable for large gardens.
FLOWERS:
The blooms have white sepals and blue petals with a huge dark blue-purple sheath that encloses and protects the many individual flowers within. The flowers are specially modified for pollination by sunbirds.
FOLIAGE:
FRUIT:
Once the fruits form the woody capsules that look like miniature bananas that split to reveal numerous black seeds.

SEED:
The pea-sized black seeds are surrounded by a fleshy orange covering known as an aril.

BUTTERFLY LARVAL HOST:
Moltena fiara (Banana Tree Nightfighter)

FULL GALLERY:
WITH THANKS TO: