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Organism (ORGA)
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last updated: 14 Aug 2025
Organism information
Musa balbisiana
Kingdom Viridiplantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Zingiberales
Family Musaceae
Genus Musa
Species Musa balbisiana
  • MUSBA
  • MUBA
  • Banana
    EN
  • Plantain
    EN
  • Balbis banana
    EN
  • Starchy banana
    EN
  • Pisang Klutuk Wulung
    EN
  • Musa rosacea
    EN
  • Musa rosacea Jacq.
    EN
  • Musa rosacea Colla
    EN
  • Musa BB or BBB Group
    EN
Additional classification
balbisiana, andamanica, bakeri Häkkinen, brachycarpa Häkkinen, dechangensis Häkkinen, liukiuensis Häkkinen, sepa-athiya, elavazhai, Klutuk, Klutuk Sukim, Unti Batu, Cau Manggala, Klutuk Wulung, Klutuk Hitam, Pisang Roti, Pisang Pataga
Domesticated
Characteristics related to biosafety
Malesia, a biogeographical region including the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, the Philippines and New Guinea, was the primary centre of origin and India was a secondary centre. It is also found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaya, Philippines and New Guinea.
EN
The centres of genetic diversity are south and southeast Asia and northern Indo-Burma region which includes parts of Indonesia, northern Vietnam and southern China.
EN
Musa balbisiana typically persists in tropical and subtropical environments, particularly in lowland and up to 1,200 meters elevation. It thrives in sunny environments, open forests and hillsides. The species adapts to poor soils to colonize secondary vegetation. It tolerates seasonal drought and can handle high temperatures up to 43°C.
EN
Musa balbisiana occurs naturally across South and Southeast Asia, with a range extending from India and Sri Lanka in the west, through Myanmar, Thailand, southern China (Yunnan and Guangxi provinces), Laos, and Vietnam, into Malaysia, Indonesia, and eastern Philippines. It is also found in New Guinea and has been introduced to tropical regions of Africa, Central America, and the Pacific Islands through cultivation and trade. Main distribution of the species includes Philippines, Bhutan, China, India, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka.
EN
EN
  • Food
Additional Information
  • In a field evaluation trial in Cameroon, Musa balbisiana showed partial resistance to black leaf streak disease, and to Xanthomonas wilt in a greenhouse trial.
  • Cultivated bananas are often the result of hybridization between Musa acuminata (A genome) and Musa balbisiana (B genome). Combinations of these genomes have resulted in various genotypes, including diploid (AA, BB and AB), triploid (AAA, AAB and ABB) and tetraploid (AAAB, AABB, ABBB) variants. The presence of the B genome has been associated with increased drought and cold tolerance, resistance to Xanthomonas wilt, and tolerance against banana weevils.
EN
Records referencing this document Show in search
Record type Field Record(s)
Organism Cross-compatible species 2

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