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Veliyath Gardens

Burmese Blue Banana Live Plant (Musa itinerans)

Regular price 500.00
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Burmese Blue Banana Plant (Musa itinerans) – A Rare Jewel of Tropical Gardens

Common Names and Local Identity

The Burmese Blue Banana Plant, scientifically known as Musa itinerans, is one of the most striking and rare banana species in the world. Known locally in some regions as Chiumei, this banana is native to the mountainous tropical forests of northern Taiwan and Southeast Asia. It stands apart from ordinary banana varieties with its spectacular iridescent pink-purple-blue fruits that shine like gems in a cluster.

General Information

Unlike common banana plants, the Burmese Blue Banana thrives best in warm temperate and tropical climates (USDA zones 10 and above). In the wild, it prefers elevations around 450 meters, showing its adaptability to slightly cooler mountain conditions compared to typical bananas. It is a medium-sized variety with a unique flowering structure—a longer inflorescence rachis and compact fruit hands, which makes it both visually distinct and highly ornamental.

The fruits measure about 4–6 inches in length, arranged in neat clusters. While they are not usually eaten raw, they hold a special place in Southeast Asian cuisines, especially Thai cooking, where they are enjoyed cooked or incorporated into savory and sweet dishes.

Nutritional Content

Like other bananas, the Burmese Blue Banana carries an impressive nutrient profile:

  • Potassium – Supports heart health and blood pressure regulation.

  • Vitamin C – Boosts immunity and skin vitality.

  • Vitamin B6 – Essential for brain health and energy metabolism.

  • Dietary Fiber – Aids digestion and improves gut health.

  • Natural Sugars & Carbohydrates – Provide instant energy.

  • Antioxidant Pigments – The unique coloration is linked to anthocyanins, compounds that reduce oxidative stress.

Health Benefits

  1. Heart-Friendly – High potassium content helps regulate blood pressure.

  2. Immune Support – Vitamin C strengthens resistance against infections.

  3. Digestive Aid – Fiber-rich fruits help maintain healthy digestion.

  4. Natural Energy Source – Carbohydrates and natural sugars make it an excellent energy snack when cooked.

  5. Anti-inflammatory Properties – Anthocyanins from the blue-purple pigments may reduce inflammation and support overall wellness.

  6. Bone and Muscle Health – Magnesium and potassium contribute to strong bones and proper muscle function.

Culinary Uses

The Burmese Blue Banana is not your everyday dessert banana. Instead, it is primarily cooked before eating, making it a versatile culinary ingredient:

  • Steamed or Boiled – Enjoyed as a wholesome, starchy food.

  • Curries and Savory Dishes – Common in Thai cooking, where it adds subtle sweetness and texture.

  • Baked Goods – Used in breads, fritters, or dumplings for a traditional twist.

  • Sweet Dishes – Blended with coconut milk or palm sugar for regional desserts.

Its unique flavor when cooked makes it a prized delicacy in local traditions.

Traditional and Cultural Importance

In Southeast Asian culture, bananas have always symbolized fertility, abundance, and prosperity, and the Burmese Blue Banana is no exception. Its unusual color and rarity make it an admired plant, often cultivated not only for food but also for its ornamental beauty. In traditional communities, different parts of the banana plant—including leaves, flowers, and pseudostems—are used in cooking, rituals, and even folk medicine, reflecting its deep cultural significance.

Cultivation and Maintenance

  • Blooming/Fruiting: Bears fruit within 1 year under favorable conditions.

  • Climate Suitability: Ideal for warm tropical and subtropical gardens.

  • Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained loamy soil with organic matter.

  • Watering: Requires consistent watering but should not be waterlogged.

  • Maintenance: Moderate – occasional feeding with compost or organic fertilizer boosts growth.

  • Growth Habit: Medium-sized, making it suitable for both gardens and large pots.

Why Choose Burmese Blue Banana from Veliyath Gardens?

At Veliyath Gardens, we specialize in bringing you rare and exotic fruit plants that elevate your gardening experience. The Burmese Blue Banana Plant is not just a fruiting tree but a living piece of art with its dazzling blue-purple fruits. Adding this plant to your garden gives you both ornamental beauty and a chance to enjoy one of nature’s rarest bananas.

Conclusion

The Burmese Blue Banana (Musa itinerans) is a plant that blends rarity, nutrition, and cultural charm. With its strikingly colorful fruits, traditional culinary uses, and health benefits, it is a must-have for plant lovers who want something beyond the ordinary. Veliyath Gardens proudly offers this exceptional plant, making it possible for you to grow a true collector’s treasure in your own garden.

 Add the Burmese Blue Banana to your collection today and enjoy the wonder of harvesting fruits that are as beautiful as they are beneficial.

Planting and Care

Blooming/Fruiting: Bears fruit within 1 year under favorable conditions.

Climate Suitability: Ideal for warm tropical and subtropical gardens.

Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained loamy soil with organic matter.

Special Feature

Potassium – Supports heart health and blood pressure regulation.

Vitamin C – Boosts immunity and skin vitality.

Vitamin B6 – Essential for brain health and energy metabolism.

Dietary Fiber – Aids digestion and improves gut health.

Uses/Benefits

Steamed or Boiled – Enjoyed as a wholesome, starchy food.

Curries and Savory Dishes – Common in Thai cooking, where it adds subtle sweetness and texture.

Baked Goods – Used in breads, fritters, or dumplings for a traditional twist.