Musa fitzalanii F.Muell.

Mueller, F.J.H. von (December 1875), Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 9(80): 188

Nomenclature

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Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria (2005), Australian Plant Census
 APC
orthographic variant: Musa fitzalani F.Muell.

Specimens

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Description

Pseudostem green, to c. 6 m high; suckering characteristics not known; sap usually colourless. Leaf lamina 300–350 cm long, usually c. 60 cm wide; petiole not seen. Inflorescence pendulous; upper bracts long-persistent. Female or bisexual flowers not seen. Male flowers cream with purplish tips; perianth variable, of a syntepalum and 1 free petal, or segments alternate and united, of 2 sepals, one longer than the other and 3-lobed, and 2 petals, or segments alternate and free, of 3 sepals and 3 petals; sepals oblong, 25–37 mm long, 4–10 mm wide; petals ovate, 15–22 mm long, 5–8 mm wide; pedicel 8–11 mm long. Berry ± triangular-obovoid and slightly angular, 5–6 cm long, 2–2.2 cm diam. (when dried), ripening yellow; pedicel 1.5–2 cm long. Seeds 4.5–6.5 mm diam.

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Biostatus

Native. Presumed extinct (Australian Plant Census, accessed 15 September 2020).

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Distribution

Known only from the type collection in northern Queensland.

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Representative Herbarium Specimens

Qld (type): Daintree River, E. Fitzalan; holo MEL; iso BRI.

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Taxonomic Notes

Although Simmonds (1956), placed this species in sect. Musa, there is some doubt whether it belongs there or in sect. Australimusa since it is so poorly known.

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Bibliography

Baker, J.G. (1893). A synopsis of the genera and species of Museae, in Koenig, K.D.E. & Sims, J. (eds), Annals of Botany 7(2): 189–222.

Häkkinen, M. (2013). Reappraisal of sectional taxonomy in Musa (Musaceae). Taxon 62(4): 809–813.

Mueller, F.J.H. von (1875). Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 9(80): 188.

Ross, E.M. (1987). Musaceae, in George, A.S. (ed.), Flora of Australia 45: 16–19. (Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra).

Simmonds, N.W. (1957). Botanical results of the banana collecting expedition, 1954–55. Kew Bulletin 11(3): 463–489.

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Source

Revised edition published 15 September 2020. Adapted from Ross (1987). Updated by P.G. Kodela, September 2020.

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Last updated: Unknown; Feb 29, 2024 12:35 Status: Legacy

Author - E.M. Ross

Editor - P.G. Kodela

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Acknowledgements -

Cite this profile as: E.M. Ross. Musa fitzalanii, in P.G. Kodela (ed.), Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Musa%20fitzalanii [Date Accessed: 19 September 2025]