A noteworthy banana: Scarlet banana

The scarlet banana (Musa coccinea) is also known as the red-flowering banana or red torch banana. It is native to tropical China (in Guangdong, Guangxi and southeastern Yunnan) to Vietnam. In its native range, it is found in ravines and on slopes. Near sea level it is also cultivated in gardens. The species reaches a height of about two metres and  is mostly cultivated for its ornamental value, being grown on commercial farms in Hawai’i.

In tropical and subtropical regions, most plants are pollinated by insects. Interestingly, the scarlet banana is pollinated by nectar-feeding bats[1] and that means that you will have problems if you expect it to be pollinated outside its natural range. You might try hand-pollinating.

The flower cluster is more rounded than in the related species Musa beccarii. It is made up of erect spirals of red bracts which enclose tubular yellow flowers. The fruits are pinkish-red to orange, only about 2 centimeters long and contain seeds. Both the plant and its tiny fruits have been deemed edible in Vietnam.

[1] Fleming et al: The evolution of bat pollination: a phylogenetic perspective in Annals of Botany – 2009. Complete article here.