Description as for the species and this pathovar is identified to species and distinguished on the basis of phytopathogenic specialization and is distinct from other pathovars by its gyrB gene sequence (Parkinson et al. 2009) and genome-wide sequence analysis. Gelatin slowly liquefied, starch not hydrolyzed. Growth quite rapid and very mucoid when cultured on yeast-peptone-sucrose agar based media for 48 h at 28°C. According to Bradbury (1986), the natural hosts include Ensete ventricosum (enset) and Musa spp. (banana). Additional hosts by inoculation: Saccharum sp. (sugarcane) and Zea mays (maize) and disease is exhibited as a bacterial wilt where leaves wilt and wither; yellowish bacterial masses are found in vascular tissue and parenchyma. It is not known if the strains being transferred to this taxon conform to the species description for metabolic activity.

Pathotype strain: NCPPB 2005 (= CFBP 7123 = DSM 24447 = ICMP 2870 = ICPB XM130 = PDDCC 2870).