Plantains (Musa paradisiaca) are related to banana . They look quite similar and are, in fact, morphologically similar, but while bananas are grown for their sugary fruit, growing plantains are cultivated for their firmer, starchy fruit. Both are members of the Musa genus and are technically large herbs and their fruit classified as berries.
Add 4-6 inches of organic mulch around the tree, keeping it 6 inches away from the psedostem. Spread this mulch out in a circle 4-6 feet wide around the tree to help the soil retain water and protect the plants roots.