Tree-like herb with a false stem, purplish, to 8 m or more tall, rarely suckering, monocarpic. Leaves clustered at the top of the stem. Leaf blade to 5 m or so long and to 1 m wide from a stalk 30-40 cm long. Flower cluster to 1 m or so long, eventually pendulous; flowering irregular, mostly summer. Flowers creamy; upper lip 3-lobed to nearly half way, the free segment with lateral lobes and a long point. Stamens 6, 1 smaller than the others. Fruit oblong, 6-10 cm long containing black, glossy seeds 1-2 cm wide, dry and inedible.

Central and eastern Africa

Source: Spencer, R. (2005). Musaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.