Banana Plant Musa acuminata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- MOO-sah ah-kew-min-AY-tuh
- Description
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This herbaceous perennial is a member of the banana family (Musaceae). The genus name is derived from the Arabic name for the fruit, mauz. The species epithet means "acuminate or coming to a sharp point."
More commonly known as the banana, this species encompasses both wild and cultivated banana plants. The most well-known banana is the Cavendish, the large yellow banana commonly found in grocery stores. The sweet, creamy fruit continues to ripen after harvest, turning from green and starchy to black-spotted yellow and sweet.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cavendish subgroup
A number of cultivars from the triploid AAA cultivar group; most well known banana
- Cavendish subgroup
- Cavendish subgroup
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Cavendish subgroup
A number of cultivars from the triploid AAA cultivar group; most well known banana
- Cavendish subgroup
- Cavendish subgroup
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Musa
- Species:
- acuminata
- Family:
- Musaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeast Asia
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- An elongated, peelable fruit with creamy flesh. Many commercial cultivars are often bred to be seedless.
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Leaves:
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
