Ensete ventricosum

Ensete ventricosum, commonly known as the Ethiopian banana, false banana, or simply enset, is a species of flowering plant in the banana family, Musaceae. It is native to Ethiopia, where it is a staple food crop.

Description

Ensete ventricosum is a large, evergreen perennial plant with a short underground stem. The plant can reach up to 6 meters in height and has large, paddle-shaped leaves that can be up to 5 meters long. The plant produces a large, conical inflorescence that contains numerous small, yellow flowers.

Cultivation and uses

In Ethiopia, Ensete ventricosum is cultivated for its edible starch-rich pseudostem and corm. The plant is propagated by suckers and requires a warm, humid climate to grow. It is a staple food crop for approximately 20 million people in the country.

The pseudostem and corm of the plant are harvested and fermented to produce a food product known as kocho. The leaves of the plant are also used for wrapping food and for making mats and ropes.

Conservation status

Ensete ventricosum is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, its habitat is being reduced due to deforestation and the expansion of agricultural land.

See also

• Banana
• Musaceae
• Ethiopian cuisine