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Edible banana

How to identify Edible banana (Musa acuminata)

Edible banana, also known as Monkey banana, Wild banana

Edible banana boasts a lush green presence with towering stalks that can reach over 12 feet (3.7 meters) in height. Its signature feature is the elongated leaves that can grow up to 9 feet (2.75 meters) long and 2 feet (60 cm) wide, with a pronounced rib in the center and a pointy tip. The foliage displays a slightly arching habit, giving edible banana an elegant, tropical appearance. Flowers of edible banana emerge from purple-tinged bracts, which later develop into elongated clusters of fruit that are a staple in many cultures.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Edible banana

1

Towering stalks up to 12 feet (3.7 meters) high

2

Pointed leaves reaching 9 feet (2.75 meters) in length

3

Purple-tinged bracts develop elongated fruit clusters

4

Fruit measures 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) with yellow peel

5

Seedless, creamy-white flesh with easy-to-peel textured skin

Edible bananaEdible bananaEdible bananaEdible bananaEdible banana

Detailed Traits of Edible banana

Fruit Features

The fruit of edible banana is distinctive with its elongated shape, typically 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in length. It has a vibrant yellow peel when ripe, which encases soft, sweet creamy-white flesh. This seedless, fleshy interior is rich in texture, and the peel is finely textured with subtle ribs running lengthwise. The fruit naturally detaches from the bunch when ready to consume and is renown for its peelability, allowing easy access to the nutritious contents within.

Edible banana Fruit imageEdible banana Fruit image
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Edible banana and Their Similar Plants

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Hardy banana vs. Edible banana: What's The Difference?
Hardy banana (Musa basjoo) is a cold-hardy banana plant that produces inedible bananas, but is prized for its ornamental foliage. Native to Japan, it can grow in North America as far north as New England if it's mulched to keep its roots warm.
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Pink banana vs. Edible banana: What's The Difference?
Pink banana is a wild banana species that is thought to be a trendy ornamental plant due to its unusual vibrant pink bananas and luscious green leaves. It is grown in indoor spaces such as greenhouses and conservatories in colder climates and outdoors in warmer regions.
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Flowering banana vs. Edible banana: What's The Difference?
Musa ornata belongs to the Musa section Rhodochlamys. Rhodochlamys is one of the four sections into which the genus Musa is divided (the others being Australimusa, Callimusa and Eumusa, which is sometimes called Musa). As a member of Rhodochlamys, M. ornata has a basic chromosome number of 2n = 22 compared with 2n = 20 of the Australimusa and Callimusa. Plants of this section are known for their brightly colored bracts. The true M. ornata is found in India and is a small species. From its home in India it reached Central and South America early in the 19th century where it became naturalized. M. ornata is not an especially variable plant in itself but it hybridizes freely with other species. The result is that there are a number of hybrids derived from it in the tropical regions of America. Plants grow to a height of 5 to 10 ft (1.5 to 3.0 m). The plants have green foliage with pink tones throughout. The leaves can grow to be 6 ft (1.8 m) long, 14 inches (360 mm) wide and can be used for tropical cut flower arrangements. It produces pink flowers and small, dark pink or crimson fruit. The fruit type is a banana that is seeded and inedible. Musa ornata is a yellow-orange inflorence whose male and female flowers both tend to be 3-5 per bract in a single row, varying up to about 7 per cluster. The anthers of the male flowers are purple while the female style is green.
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Banana vs. Edible banana: What's The Difference?
Banana is an ancestor of the widely cultivated banana species. However, this species is inedible due to its seeds and differs from the other banana species in its more upright stature. This plant is highly resistant to abiotic stresses. The luscious leaves have historically been used for crafting and packaging.
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Key Facts About Edible banana

Attributes of Edible banana
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
5 m
Spread
1.8 m to 3 m
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Color
White
Yellow
Cream
Purple
Red
Fruit Color
Green
Yellow
Brown
Red
Black
Copper
Burgundy
Gold
Stem Color
Green
Red
Purple
Black
Leaf type
Evergreen
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Scientific Classification of Edible banana

Family
Banana
Icon allow
Genus
Musa
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Species
Edible banana (Musa acuminata)
Learn More About the Edible banana

Distribution Map of Edible banana

Edible banana is an important tropical food crop native to shaded and moist rainforests in India and Southeast Asia. This plant has also been introduced as a cultivated crop to seven other nations in Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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