Seeded banana (Musa species)
Also known as:
ornamental banana
Seeded bananas have similar foliage to edible banana plants, but have inedible fruit containing many large seeds. They are environmental weeds that also pose biosecurity risks to commercial banana production.
Profile
How does this weed affect you?
Seeded bananas have inedible fruit with lots of large seeds. Seeded and ornamental banana species have spread from gardens and invaded natural areas including rainforests. These plants:
- compete with native understorey plants
- alter soil nutrient levels
- could host diseases and pests that could affect commercial banana plantations.
What does it look like?
Seeded bananas have similar foliage to edible banana plants, but have inedible fruit containing many large seeds. Three species are problematic as potential invasive weeds:
Musa acuminata (seeded banana) looks similar to a commercial ladyfinger banana plant, but with a longer petiole (leaf stalk) and fruit containing over 200 seeds each. These plants have been found naturalising in parts of the North Coast (Lismore and Bellingen shires) and south of Sydney.
Musa ornata and Musa velutina (ornamental bananas) have been grown and produced as ornamentals due to their palm-like foliage and eye-catching bright pink fruit on upright stalks.
Most edible bananas are seedless cultivars that are derived from hybridisations of Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. There are also native Australian species of bananas - Musa banksii and Musa jackeyi. Further research is underway to establish and identify the varieties of seeded and ornamental bananas that are currently naturalising and posing biosecurity risks in NSW.
Where is it found?
Seeded banana is found around the North Coast in the Lismore and Bellingen shires and south of Sydney.
They are also weeds in Queensland.
What type of environment does it grow in?
Plants grow in areas with high rainfall and soils with high nutrient levels (e.g. basalt derived soils). They tolerate full sun and up to 80% shade. They do not tolerate frost.
Plants grow in:
- forests including shady understorey
- along creekbanks
- paddocks
- backyards.
Maps and records
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Recorded presence of Seeded banana during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2023)
These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.
How does it spread?
Seeded banana plants have been planted as ornamentals in gardens.
By seed
Birds, possums, bats, water rats and other animals eat the fruit and spread the seeds. Fruit is also spread by flowing water.
By plant parts
Banana plants sucker forming new plants from the base of the parent plant.
References
Australian Banana Growers Council (2012) Seeded bananas a concern to industry. The Subtropics Banana News, Edition March 2012.
Far North Coast Weeds (2012) Fact Sheet: Seeded Bananas. Far North Coast Weeds, Lismore NSW.
Office of Environment and Heritage (2012), Regional Pest Management Strategy 2012–17, Northern Rivers Region: a new approach for reducing impacts on native species and park neighbours, Sydney.
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (2016), The Biology of Musa L. (banana), Version 2, Australian Government Department of Health.
Control
Physical removal
Seedlings and small plants can be hand pulled or dug up. Use an axe or saw to cut down the trunk then use a shovel or pick to dig up any roots and suckers.
Remove all fruit and roots to prevent regrowth.
Chemical control
Plants can be spot sprayed or herbicide can be directly applied to the leaves to limit off target damage.
Herbicide options
WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Fluroxypyr 200 g/L
(Comet® 200 herbicide)
Rate: 500 mL to 1 L per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock feed for 7 days after application. See label for further information.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Fluroxypyr 333 g/L
(Starane™ Advanced)
Rate: 300 to 600 mL per 100 L water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock food for 7 days after application. See label for more information.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: One part product to 50 parts water
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: One part product to 9 parts water
Comments: Splatter gun
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: One part product to 20 parts water
Comments: Wipe onto leaves
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 10 - 20 g per 100 L water plus surfactant
Comments: Spot spray
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: B, Inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 10 g per 1 L of water plus surfactant
Comments: Wipe onto leaves
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: B, Inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High
Biosecurity duty
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
| Area | Duty |
|---|---|
| All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
| North Coast |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. |
| *To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2023
