The Banana Plant (Musa species) is a fast-growing, tropical plant native to Southeast Asia, often mistaken for a tree but actually a giant herb. Its large, broad leaves can grow several metres long, creating plenty of shade in the rainforest understorey. Bananas grow in hanging clusters called “hands,” each made up of multiple individual fruits. The plant produces fragrant flowers that attract a variety of pollinators, including bats, birds, and insects, which help the plant reproduce. Beyond providing food for animals — including humans — banana plants also play an important ecological role by stabilising soil and providing shelter for smaller creatures in the rainforest.

Find this impressive plant in the Amazonica Glasshouse.

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