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.
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.
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:
Hi Dalene
Thanks for visiting Plantbook.
I’m not aware of any medicinal value of this plant’s seeds. However, there are some amazing online resources that may answer your question. Please feel free to share your information here.
Flourish!
Glenice
Do the seeds have any medicinal value
Hi Christo
I don’t think the leaves can be used for culinary purposes.
All the best.
Glenice
Can the leaves be used to wrap and cook fish like with banana leaves.
Hi Avril
Thanks for visiting Plantbook.
I’ve never seen cockroaches or horseflies around these trees. And, I’ve never heard of this phenomenon before.
If there are any little critters around the plants, there is a high likelihood that the population will be taken care of by your local bird population which feeds on insects.
Flourish!
Glenice
Is it true these trees harbor cockroaches and horse flies?
Is it true that these trees harbor cockroaches and horse flies?