Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Sunday - August 10, 2008

From: Asheville, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Are leaves of banana trees poisonous?
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

are the leaves of banana trees poisonous? the tree will be in a preschool classroom How do i care for the tree?

ANSWER:

The edible banana (Musa spp.) is a native of the Indo-Malaysian region. What we're all about here at the Wildflower Center is "to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes" (that is, natives of North America), but we're happy to point you in the right direction to find out about banana plants. You can read about Banana Plant growing instructions and care from The Banana Tree.

Neither the leaves, nor any other part of the banana plant, appear to be poisonous. None of the following toxic plant databases have listed it: