Interesting banana species in the Musa genus

All true bananas are members of the Musa genus.

This genus includes over 70 species, with some of the most common varieties being Cavendish bananas, plantains, and cooking bananas.

It’s important to note that the term “banana” can be used more loosely to describe other plants in the banana family (Musaceae) but outside the genus Musa. For example, some people refer to the “red banana” which is actually a member of the genus Ensete. However, Ensete are not true bananas even though they are related and produce fruit that somewhat resembles bananas.

The genus Musa includes over 70 species, but the exact number is still being debated. Here are some of the most common and interesting ones:

• Musa acuminata (Wild Banana):This is one of the two main ancestors of modern edible bananas. It has small, seedy fruits that are not typically eaten. Opens in a new window en.wikipedia.org Musa acuminata banana plant
• Musa balbisiana (Bluggoe Banana):Another ancestor of modern bananas, this species has larger fruits than Musa acuminata but they are still quite starchy and seedy. Opens in a new window plants.ces.ncsu.edu Musa genus balbisiana banana plant
• Musa × paradisiaca (Plantain):This is not a true species but a hybrid of Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. Plantains are a staple food in many parts of the world, and they are typically cooked before eating. Opens in a new window sunrisegardencenter.ae Musa × paradisiaca banana plant
• Musa cavendish (Cavendish banana):This is the most common type of banana grown commercially. Cavendish bananas are parthenocarpic, meaning they produce fruit without seeds. This makes them easier to transport and consume. However, their lack of genetic diversity makes them susceptible to disease. Opens in a new window logees.com Musa genus cavendish banana plant
• Musa sapientum (Banana): This is another hybrid of Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana, and it is the source of most of the dessert bananas that we eat. There are many different varieties of Musa sapientum, including the Cavendish banana.
  Opens in a new window plantskingdom.in Musa sapientum banana plant
• Musa basjoo (Japanese Banana):This is a cold-hardy banana that can be grown in temperate climates. It is not typically grown for its fruit, but it is a popular ornamental plant. Opens in a new window logees.com Musa genus basjoo banana plant
• Musa ae ae (Red Banana):This banana has red skin and a bright red flesh. It has a sweet, berry-like flavor. While sometimes referred to as a banana, this is actually a member of the genus Ensete and not a true Musa. Opens in a new window www.reddit.com Musa ae ae plant
• Musa textilis (Abaca):This species is not grown for its fruit, but for its fiber, which is known as Manila hemp. Abaca fiber is strong and durable, and it is used to make a variety of products, including rope, twine, and textiles. Opens in a new window www.zadengigant.nl Musa textilis banana plant
• Musa velutina (Pink Banana):This banana has a unique pink or reddish pseudostem and pink flowers. The fruit is small and seedy, but it is edible. Opens in a new window en.wikipedia.org Musa velutina banana plant
• Musa sikkimensis (Blood Banana):This banana has a red pseudostem and red or purple leaves. The fruit is small and orange, and it is said to have a blood-like flavor. Opens in a new window www.palmaverde.nl Musa sikkimensis banana plant
• Musa rogersii (Cooking Banana): This is a hybrid banana that is similar to plantains, but it is even more starchy. Cooking bananas are a staple food in many parts of Africa and the Caribbean.
• Musa chiliocarpa (Red-fruited Banana):This banana has small, red fruits that are quite hot and spicy. They are not typically eaten raw, but they can be cooked or used to make hot sauce. Opens in a new window www.thailandplant.com Musa chiliocarpa banana plant
• Musa ingens (Giant Banana):As the name suggests, this is the largest species in the genus Musa. It can grow up to 40 feet tall and produce fruits that are up to a foot long! However, the fruit is not very palatable for humans. Opens in a new window www.etsy.com Musa ingens banana plant
• Musa nana (Dwarf Banana):This is a miniature banana plant that is popular as a houseplant. It only grows to be about 3-4 feet tall and produces small, sweet bananas. Opens in a new window greenhouse.biology.indiana.edu Musa nana banana plant
• Musa ornata (Orange Flame Banana):This banana is prized for its beautiful orange flowers that resemble flames. The fruit is small and seedy, but it is edible. This banana is not widely cultivated, but it is prized for its beautiful inflorescence (flower cluster) that resembles flames. The flowers are bright orange and red. This banana is a popular choice for landscaping due to its attractive flowers. Opens in a new window en.wikipedia.org Musa ornata banana plant
• Musa porphyrospatha (Red Banana Plant): This banana plant has stunning deep purple or red colored bracts (modified leaves) that surround the flower bud. The flower itself is also red and the fruit is small and green. This banana is not grown for food but for its ornamental value.
• Musa schizocarpa (Scarlet Banana):This banana produces beautiful red flowers and orange fruit. The fruit is edible but quite seedy. This banana is also grown more for its ornamental features than for its fruit. Opens in a new window www.promusa.org Musa schizocarpa banana plant
• Musa coccinea (Scarlet Banana):This ornamental banana is not widely cultivated, but it has some stunning features. The flower bud is bright red and emerges from bright red bracts. The flowers themselves are also red, and the fruit is small and orange. While the fruit is edible, it is not considered very palatable. Opens in a new window www.gardenia.net Musa coccinea banana plant
• Musa laterite (Burmese Banana): This banana is native to Myanmar and Thailand. It is grown for its edible fruit, which is similar to a plantain but with a sweeter flavor. The pseudostem of this banana plant has a beautiful waxy sheen.
• Musa banksii (Banks’ Banana):This wild banana is native to the Philippines. It has large, orange flowers and orange-red fruit. The fruit is edible but quite seedy. This banana is a popular choice for landscaping due to its attractive flowers and foliage. Opens in a new window en.wikipedia.org Musa banksii banana plant
• Musa thomsonii (Gold Banana):This banana, also known as the ‘Apple Banana’, is native to Papua New Guinea. It has small, yellow fruits that taste somewhat like apples. The fruit is eaten fresh or cooked. This banana is also grown as an ornamental plant. Opens in a new window www.rarepalmseeds.com Musa thomsonii banana plant
• Musa cheesmanii (Cheesman’s Banana):This banana is native to New Guinea and has a unique pseudostem that is covered in small, brown bumps. The fruit is small and yellow, and it is said to have a sweet, creamy flavor. Opens in a new window www.rarepalmseeds.com Musa cheesmanii banana plant
• Musa violacea (Blue Java Banana):This banana is prized for its delicious fruit, which has a creamy texture and a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. The fruit is also known for its beautiful blue-green skin. Opens in a new window www.amazon.com Musa violacea banana plant
• Musa troglodytarum (Wild Plantain): This is a wild banana species that is native to Southeast Asia. It is not typically eaten by humans, but it is an important food source for animals. The fruit of the wild plantain is very starchy and difficult to digest.
• Musa rubra (Red Banana):This banana, also known as the Red Caribbean banana, is a popular variety in Central and South America. The fruit has a bright red skin and a sweet, strawberry-like flavor. Opens in a new window earthpedia.earth.com Musa rubra banana plant
• Musa acuminata ssp buruensis (Buru Banana): This banana is a subspecies of Musa acuminata, and it is native to New Guinea. The Buru banana is a wild banana that is not typically eaten by humans, but it is an important food source for animals. The fruit of the Buru banana is small and yellow, and it has a seedy pulp.
• Musa yunnanensis (Yunnan Banana):This banana is native to southern China and northern Myanmar. It is a wild banana species that is not typically eaten by humans, but it is an important food source for animals. The fruit of the Yunnan banana is small and green, and it has a thin, inedible peel. Opens in a new window www.plantdelights.com Musa yunnanensis banana plant
• Musa fehi (Fe’i Banana):This banana is native to Oceania and Southeast Asia. It is a staple food in many Pacific Island cultures, and the fruit can be eaten ripe or unripe. The ripe fruit is sweet and starchy, while the unripe fruit is more savory and can be cooked in a variety of dishes. Opens in a new window www.inaturalist.org Musa genus fehi banana plant
• Musa livingstoniana (Livingstone’s Banana):This banana is native to eastern and southern Africa. It is a wild banana species that is not typically eaten by humans, but it is an important food source for animals. The fruit of Livingstone’s banana is small and orange, and it has a strong, unpleasant odor. Opens in a new window www.researchgate.net Musa genus livingstoniana banana plant
• Musa rogersii (Cooking Banana): This is a hybrid banana that is similar to plantains, but it is even more starchy. Cooking bananas are a staple food in many parts of Africa and the Caribbean. They are typically boiled, fried, or roasted before eating.

The Musa genus is a truly amazing group of plants with a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. They provide us with food, fiber, and beauty, making them a valuable part of our world.

I’ve provided information on over 20 species in the Musa genus, which is a great start! However, to avoid redundancy, I’ll switch to providing details on interesting facts about the genus Musa rather than listing individual species. Here are some fascinating things to know about bananas:

• Ancestral Origins: The wild ancestors of bananas were seedy and not very palatable. Through natural selection and later human cultivation, the bananas we know today developed thicker flesh with fewer seeds, making them much easier to eat.
• Part of the Ginger Family: While bananas are often considered fruits, they are technically berries. The genus Musa is part of the Musaceae family, which is closely related to the Zingiberaceae family, which includes ginger and turmeric.
• Pseudopowerhouse: Banana plants are not true trees. They have a pseudostem, a false stem formed by tightly wrapped leaf sheaths. This pseudostem can grow quite tall, but it lacks the woody core of a true tree.
• Flower Power: The banana flower, or inflorescence, is the largest flower in the world! It can weigh up to 20 pounds and is often eaten as a vegetable in some cultures.
• Biodiversity Under Threat: The Cavendish banana, which makes up the majority of bananas commercially traded worldwide, is susceptible to a fungal disease called Panama disease. This highlights the importance of research into diversifying banana cultivation to ensure a sustainable future for this delicious and nutritious fruit.

The genus Musa offers a rich tapestry of biodiversity, providing us with a glimpse into the remarkable world of plants.