Banana
Musa acuminata

Family: Musaceae

What it is like

The banana false stems usually have black marks on them. The canal of the leaf stalk is like an open drain. There are dry flaps where the leaf stalk joins the false stem. The leaves are paddle shaped. These are diploid bananas. They can be seeded or seedless. The flowers hang down. They are pear shaped and yellow, white or cream. The fruit are yellow. This is the small diploid variety. Many bananas are hybrids between acuminata and balbisiana. See Musa x paradisiaca.

There are about 30-40 Musa species. Some say 300 Musa sp and 20 species cultivated commercially.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Central America, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, East Africa, Ecuador, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, St Helena, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tuvalu, Uganda, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seedless fruit are regularly eaten raw or cooked. The seeded fruit are occasionally eaten. The shoots are cooked and eaten.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, flower stalk, stem, shoots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

An pe, Apala, Arem mongu, Banano, Baran, Bi, Bon kola, Di ban, Guiteng, Kapendis kate, Kulu, Lamreap, Manvu, Mgombakofi, Mgombatumbili, Mopanana, Muikhon khut, Orito, Pahari kola, Pisang hutan, Pisang ungko, Ramkala, Thailik bwfang

Synonyms

Musa cavendishii Lamb. ex Paxt.; Musa chiliocarpa Backer ex Heyne; Musa chinensis Sweet; Musa banksii F.Muell.; Musa nana Lour.; Musa malaccensis Ridley; Musa zebrina Van Houtte ex Planchon; [or Musa AA, AAA, and AAAA Groups]; non-hybrid forms of edible bananas