Interesting Facts About Banana Plants
The banana plant is a large perennial herb native to Southeast Asia. It is a fast-growing herbaceous plant that spreads by suckers and underground roots, forming 6- to 10-foot-wide clumps. Does this Spark an idea?
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Features
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The banana's "trunk" is actually a pseudostem made of tightly-held leaf sheaths that unfurl as the plant grows. One pseudostem can contain over 40 leaves during its lifetime.
Climate
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Banana plants are native to Southeast Asia and only grow outdoors year-round in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. These zones encompass Hawaii, Florida and Southern California. Banana plants can also be overwintered indoors.
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Types
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There are two main species of banana, and according to the University of Florida's IFAS Extension, most of the cultivars grown in the home garden are hybrids of Musa acuminata and M. balbisiana. Bananas are usually sweet, except for plantains, which are higher in starch than regular bananas and need to be cooked before they are eaten.
History
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Bananas go back thousands of years. Some findings suggest that Southeast Asians introduced the fruit to Ecuador around 200 B.C. Bananas were brought to North America in the 16th century.
Fun Fact
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Plaintain bananas are a staple crop in parts of Africa, southern India and throughout tropical America because they are easily produced and have a high nutritional value.
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