Yunnan banana

Musa itinerans Cheesman

Musa itinerans, known as the Yunnan banana, is a species native to Southeast Asia, ranging from Northeast India to Vietnam. It is part of the Musaceae family and was described by Cheesman in 1949. The plant is notable for its edible inner stalk, which is harvested and consumed. In China, it serves as a significant food source for wild Asian elephants. The species was added to Kew Gardens' Millennium Seed Bank Project in 2010, marking the 24,200th plant species preserved, representing 10% of the world's wild plant species.

Description

Musa itinerans is found in several regions including Assam, Bangladesh, China South-Central, China Southeast, Hainan, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is a member of the Musaceae family and is recognized for its ecological and dietary importance, particularly in China where it supports wild Asian elephant populations. The plant's inner stalk is also used as food. Its inclusion in the Millennium Seed Bank Project highlights its conservation significance.