Ensete ventricosum, commonly known as Abyssinian Banana, is a gigantic monocarpic evergreen perennial herb native to the highland regions of Ethiopia south to Tanzania, where it is found in open, grassy or montane areas. It can reach up to 6 m (20 ft) in height with a stout pseudostem formed by tightly overlapping leaf bases. The large, banana-like leaf blades can be up to 5 m (16 ft) long and 1 m (3 ft 3 in) wide, featuring a distinctive salmon-pink midrib. The plant produces flowers only once at the end of its life cycle, presenting massive pendant thyrses covered by large pink bracts. The fruits contain hard, black, rounded seeds and are inedible, but the starchy roots are a crucial food source in Ethiopia. After flowering, the plant dies. The Abyssinian Banana is valued for its rapid growth and ornamental qualities, with large, tropical-looking foliage that makes a dramatic statement in the landscape.

This species is often used as a focal point in tropical and subtropical gardens, and it is also grown for its cultural significance and as a food crop in Ethiopia. It requires full sun and medium water, thriving in a range of soil drainage conditions. While it is not frost-tolerant and needs winter protection in cooler climates, it has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its value in horticulture. The cultivar ’Maurelii’ (Ethiopian Black Banana) is also recognized for its ornamental appeal. Potential problems include susceptibility to frost damage and the need for ample space due to its large size.CC BY-SA 4.0