ENCANTO FARMS
"we be bananas" in San Diego

(071)

BANANA Translations

As far as I can determine the following collective names apply to "banana", not to the "plantain", a specific cooking banana. (025)

ARABIC : Maouz, Maozeh (Lebanese), Mauz, Mazw, Moaz, Mouz, Moz
BENGALI :
BURMESE : Hnget pyaw / Nget pyaw, Nget pyo thee, Nga pyaw thee, Nga pyaw phoo (flower).
CHINESE : Jiao (Tsiu, Chiu), Xiangjiao (929), Shang chao fua (? flower).
DANISH : Banan, Bananer, Bananbusk (plant), Banantrę (plant).
DUTCH : Banaan, Bananen, Banaanboom (plant), Banaanplant, Bananeplant.
ENGLISH : Banana, Banana tree, Banana shrub.
FINNISH : Banaanit, Banaanirata, Banaanikasvi (plant).
FRENCH : Banane, Bananes, Bananier (plant), Figue (ingredient, dried fruit - Caribbean-Sea islands).
GERMAN : Banane, Bananen, Bananenpisang, Bananenstaude (plant).
GUJARATI :
HAUSA : Ayaba.
HEBREW :

HINDI :
Kelaa, Kelaa ka fool (Kere kafool) (flower).
ITALIAN : Banana, Banane, Banano (plant).
JAPANESE :
Banana, Banana no tsubomi (flower).
KANNADA : Balayhanu.
KHMER : Cheek nam'vaa, Chec.
KOREAN :
Panana.
LAOTIAN : Mak guy, Kwąyz, Kok khone.
MALAY : Pisang, Getang (Indonesia), Jantung pisang (flower), Djantoong (Indonesia).
NEPALESE : Kadali.
PORTUGUESE : Banana, Bananas, Bananeira (plant).
RUSSIAN :
Banan.
SINHALESE : Kehel, Kehel mal.
SPANISH : Banana, Platano, Plįtanos, Cambur (plant), Banano (plant), Platanero (plant).
SWAHILI : Ndizi, Maso.
SWEDISH : Bananer.
TAGALOG : Saging (Fruit), Puso (flower), Punong saging (plant).
TAMIL : Vazha, Vazhei.
TELUGU : Artipandu.
THAI :
Kluai / Kluay / Klue / Kluey / Gluai / Glooway / Gkloo ay, Dok kluai (flower), Hua blee (flower).
TURKISH : Muz.
URDU : Kelaa (Keyla). Kelaa kaa phuul (flower).
VIETNAMESE :

YORUBA : Ogede. (025b)

ABU NIPAH

DESCRIPTION:
{EDIT} The dessert types are emas, berangan, rastali, udang and a new clone named cavendish (novaria) whereas the hardy fruits used in cooking and food processing are abu nipah, abu kapur, buloh, tanduk, awak, masam and nangka. (142)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:

ABU KIPAR

DESCRIPTION:
{EDIT} The dessert types are emas, berangan, rastali, udang and a new clone named cavendish (novaria) whereas the hardy fruits used in cooking and food processing are abu nipah, abu kapur, buloh, tanduk, awak, masam and nangka. (142)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:

ABYSSINIAN RED
Ensete ventricosum

DESCRIPTION:
Large green and red leaves. From East Africa where it tolerates frost at high altitudes. Huge leaves that can grow 10-15 feet long and 1-1/2 feet wide. Grows well in full sun to partial shade. Fast growing and non clumping. Does great in containers and indoors. (013b) Palm-like ornamental perennial. Rising from the solitary psuedotrunk, are large, paddle-shaped, 10-15' long bright green leaves with a red midrib. Protect from strong wind. 15' spread. Ornamental, non-fruiting. (068) Fantastic ornamental banana with huge leaves reaching 10 feet. Deep red and green leaves. It lookes like someome painted it by hand. Full sun in a rich, moist well drained loam. Very fast growing, non-clumping, unlike most bananas. Perfect for the tropical garden or in green houses. (039) An ornamental banana with huge leaves and dark red midribs. Stunning. The leaves make excellent food baskets or plates, and the plant adds a lot of atmosphere to the orchard and can be very useful in helping to create the environment subtropicals need. Excellent biomass producer. Grows large. (078)

TYPE: ORNAMENTAL
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 15' (039), 20' (013b) (068)
HIGHLIGHTS: Non-clumping. Highly Ornamental.

ACUMINATA

DESCRIPTION:
One of the presumed predecessors of the many dessert bananas today. A primitive seeded variety. Susceptible to fusarium wilt. (001) A primitive variety of the grocery store bananas that we see in the market. The fruit is seeded. This is a rare variety. (010) Musa acuminata is a wild, seed-bearing species of banana. [M]ost banana cultivars grown for fruit derive from Musa acuminata alone or in combination with another species, Musa balbisiana but these plants are correctly named by reference to their genome groups. (011) Musa acuminata is an extremely variable species that has been sorted into a number of different subspecies based on their geographic occurrence and various technical differences. A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE LEAVES OF MUSA ACUMINATA SUBSPECIES IS THE OCCURRENCE OF PURPLE-RED MARKINGS ON THE UPPER SURFACE AND A PURPLE-RED BLUSH ON THE UNDERSIDE. The intensity of colour varies greatly between different subspecies. The intensity of colour also varies, but to a smaller extent, between different seedlings of the same subspecies. The best coloured forms have been selectively propagated for ornamental use by vegetative propagation; these days micropropagation is often used. Sometimes the ornamental forms are given cultivar names like 'Zebrina', 'Sumatrana', 'Rojo' or 'Rubra' but these are not taxonomically valid. Because similar leaf colouration occurs in different subspecies of Musa acuminata it is rather difficult to tell from which subspecies the ornamental forms have actually been derived. Most probably the ornamental forms have been derived from Musa acuminata subsp. sumatrana and Musa acuminata subsp. zebrina. The best forms of the plant are spectacular foliage plants for greenhouse or conservatory. (011) Xiang jiao, Xiao guo ye jiao, Zhong guo ai jiao , Gao jiao ya jiao, Gao jiao xiang jiao (Chinese). (025)

TYPE: SEEDED
GENETICS: Contibutes the "A" components in banana hybrids.
HEIGHT:
DISEASE: Fusarium Wilt susceptible.
HIGHLIGHTS: Red markings on leaves.

ADAM'S UNKNOWN

DESCRIPTION:
Growing in Vista, CA.

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 12+

AE AE
A'e A'e, Koae, Manini, Kao'e

DESCRIPTION:
A beautiful variegated green & white plant that also has multicolored fruit. It may be cooked or eaten out of hand when fully ripe. A much sought after variety for landscape and collectors. More pH sensitive than most, rhizomes may resort to solid green or white if pH changes, therefore [it is] difficult to get true off-spring. (001) Spectacular variegated leaves of multishades of green and white colors and they even produce variegated fruit. This banana is very rare and limited in supply. (003) [A] Hawaiian variety of unusual beauty. It's truck, leaves, and fruit are variegated white, gray, and green. The bunches are large and the plants are tall and vigorous. The plant seems to appreciate a somewhat protected location in partial sun. It was said that only royalty were permitted to grow this variety in Old Hawaii. It is extremely rare and suckers only sparsely. The fruit is of excellent flavor and is primarily used as a cooking banana though it may be eaten fresh. (007) The banana of the ancient Hawaiian royalty because of its' spectacular white and green variegation covering the entire plant. Still quite rare, slow to pup, it is semi-hardy. The fruit is best cooked, but is palatable raw. (009) A really incredible variegated green & white banana plant! This one is amazing in that it also bears variegated fruit ! The skin/peel on the fruits are variegated, but the flesh is like a regular banana. This is an extremely rare plant and highly desired by collectors and exotic landscapers. The plant appears to be more pH sensitive than most. Prefers a soil that is slightly more on the acidic side. The offshoots of this plant may become all green or white if the pH changes, therefore making it really hard to get new plants. Extremely Rare. (010) [E]dible raw fruits, good for "dried Bananas", useful leaves & rinds (021) I grow mine in a large pot in pure peat moss with a little perlite added for drainage. You could use sand, pumice or something else for drainage, too. I`ve had it several months now and it couldn`t be happier. I`ve lost count on how many leaves it has produced. I feed it Osomocote time-release acid fertilizer. It seems to like morning sun and afternoon shade. The cream part of the leaves "burn" no matter what you do. ... Needs acid pH (5.5-6.5) for best growth. ... There was a mention that the Ae Ae is considered a plantain or cooking banana. [It] is a cooking banana, but not a plantain. Bananas and plantains are not the same. Similar, but not the same. [N]eeds an acid soil for the leaves to be varigated, otherwise they will just become green. The leaves show up really well in moonlight and make a nice exotic touch to a moongarden or any garden at night as well as looking interesting by day. ... I grow Ae Ae in full sun and in an alkeline soil. I harvest 2 or 3 bunches a year and a bunch has 7 or more hands of very large bananas. They are great eaten fresh or cooked. (033) Hawaiian variegated Prefers some shade and wind protection. Best for garden or indoors. Needs some special care to show its' best: acid soil (ph 6.0 or less), partial shade and protection from high winds to prevent drying and sun burning. Beautiful but demanding Suited for Indoors. (038) The Ae Ae is one of the most spectacular banana plants ever! Even the skin of the large bananas is green and white striped! Although the fruit is more of a plantain, it can be eaten fresh or cooked. This unique variety grows best in partial shade and prefers an acid pH. This is an extremely rare variety!! (039) There was a mention that the Ae Ae is considered a plantain or cooking banana. The Ae Ae is a cooking banana, but not a plantain. Bananas and plantains are not the same. Similar, but not the same. (076)

TYPE: Dessert, Cooking
GENETICS: AAB (064)
HEIGHT: 10-14' (001) (010), 15-20' (039), 16' (007), 18' (038)
HIGHLIGHTS: Variegated leaves and fruit.

AFRICAN RED
DESCRIPTION:


TYPE: ORNAMENTAL
GENETICS: HEIGHT:

AFRICAN RHINO HORN
African Red

DESCRIPTION:
An unusual plantain that produces relatively few fruit but the size of each can weigh 2-3 pounds and be as long as 12-20 inches or more. The pseudostem has a dark burgundy hue which gives rise to the term some call "African Red". A collectors delight, especially when fruiting. Cold sensitive. (001) Slender, somewhat fragile plant needs protection from wind. Grow it for an attractive red coloration of the truck and in the leaf. Large fruit (up to 2 feet) are produced which may be cooked green as a vegetable or eaten ripe. The bunch is fairly large. (007) The name of this clone is derived from the unusual length of the fruit, which has been known to reach 2'. An excellent cooking banana, it also can be eaten raw. The plant itself is visually appealing, with a wine-colored trunk and purple mottling on the leaves. Tender. (009) [P]roduces two to four hands of fruit The fruits are usually 12-14 inches in length, but can grow to 2 ft. and weigh as much as 3 lbs. each. [H]as leaves and a pseudostem that is dappled red. The fruit is good for cooking and eating out-of-hand. [A] favorite of corm borer pests. (056) This is a tall plantain with long, strongly curved fruits that give rise to is common name. This banana cultivar may have the longest fruits of any banana; up to 2' in length, an individual fruit may weigh as much as 2 lbs. The colorful pseudostem and petioles make this an excellent landscaping plant, but too big for most containers. This banana may be eaten ripe or cooked like other plantains. Cold sensitive. (010) (038) A tall and slender plantain, ... with large finger type bananas 2' in length. Trunk and leaves have attractive red coloration. Fruit can be cooked or eaten out of hand. Very attractive! (052)

TYPE: Plantain
GENETICS: AAB (009)
HEIGHT: 10-12' (001) (009) (010), 16-20' (007), 20' (032)
HIGHLIGHTS: Unusual large fruit.

AMBON


DESCRIPTION:
{EDIT} Ambon (Phi); Pisang Ambon Putih (Ind); Pisang Embun (Mal); Kluai Hom Dok Mai (Tha) (141)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:

AMBON PUTIH (025)
Pisang Embun, Pisang Ambon Putih, Kluai hom dok mai (025)

DESCRIPTION:
hom = fragrant (Thai) (025)

TYPE:
GENETICS: AAA (025)
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

AMISTAD

DESCRIPTION:
Found growing at an old plantation house fifty years ago in a pre-Civil War, abandoned slave quarters. This tree produces fruit about every other year. Tasty yellow bananas are ripe around Thanksgiving for feasting. (003)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

APPLE
Manzano, Monzano, Manzana (Sp.), Silk, Silk Fig, Pome, Hawaiian, Brazillian, Pisang Rastali, Maca, Sugar (028)

DESCRIPTION:
[T]his lady finger variety has been popular for many years in the Caribbean and Central & South America. The short plump fruit has a "apple like" after taste which many love. It is very susceptible to fusarium wilt (Panama Disease). (001) Dessert type, pleasant apple flavor when fully ripe. Fruit: 4 to 6 inches. The fruit is not ripe until some brownish specs appear on the skin. The size and quality of this banana tree makes it one of the worlds best eating bananas as well as one of the best dessert bananas. Very thin skined when ripe and super flavor. Sweetest banana I've ever eaten. Excellent also for container growing as in the ground. Nice looking too. (002) Another universally grown cultivar that is difficult to ship. its' common name is derived from the fruit's slightly acid apple-like flavor. Currently the premier plantation banana in Hawaii, it is sturdy, productive, vigorous, and semi-hardy. (009) A unique tasting banana that suggests the flavor of an apple. Here in Florida, the plant is also known as the 'Manzana' banana, which in spanish means apple! The fruit is smallish and some call it 'lady finger' bananas. its' a popular home landscape tree as well and for good reason! The beautiful leaves are long lasting, and the tree grows to a perfect height. (010) This is a really tasty banana, ... and produce[s] stalks of bananas weighing about 40 pounds, the bananas have a slight hint of [the] taste of a Granny Smith apple, that is why they are call apple bananas. [T]he latin name is manzano, really delicious. (013a)There are numerous common cultivars named 'Apple'. The most common 'Apple' in south Florida. It is a dessert-type banana with a pleasant, sub-acid flavor when fully ripe. It is very common in the Caribbean. The plant is medium-sized and susceptible to Sigatoka and Panama disease. It is recommended for home landscape and commercial planting in Panama disease-free sites with disease-free planting material. (028) [Four inch] long plump fruit with strong apple flavor in bunches of 20-40 lbs. Eaten cooked or fresh and is super astringent until dead ripe. Good cold to tolerance. (052) [A] favorite dessert banana. Fruits are 4-6 inches long, plump, and firm. When fully ripe, the fruit has a very good sweet sub-acid apple flavor. However, ripening may occur several days even after yellow color change in skin. Yield is not very high, and plant is very susceptible to Panama disease. As with the 'Apple' Banana, the fruit [of Fhia-18] must be fully ripe before eating. (056) One of the fastest producers of both fruit and tropical foliage. It develops small bunches of 3" to 6" long[. F]ruit are full of flavor, but must be allowed to ripen fully. Eaten fresh or cooked. (005) This vigorous plant is one of the most rapid producers of both fruit and an ornamental clump that we have. Time from planting until harvest is about 15 months. The bunch is small with the individual bananas 3 to 6-inches long. (007) (047) The fruit must be allowed to ripen thoroughly before eating or it is quite astringent. Once ripe, however, it is quite delicious and sweet with a distinct apple flavor. The flesh itself is drier than most other bananas. Eaten fresh or cooked. A favorite in the tropics. (007) This plant is seedless diploid that is rendered so by bearing sterile female flowers. It is not produced commercially on large scale but it is usually grown in backyards for family consumption. its' sub-acid flavor is reminiscent of a cross between an apple and a very sweet banana, which make a pleasing combination. It must be allowed to ripen fully before eating. The plant is quite cold hardy and will not be harmed by temperatures that are close to freezing. If frost is allowed to form on its' leaves they will turn brown. The plant ... is mostly green colored with just a light margin of red around the leaf. (032) A vigorous growing plant that produces large bunches of fruit with a sweet apple like flavor (063) [B]ears well. Pups like crazy. Fruits in approximately the 20th leaf. Fruit is smaller than the standard commercial variety. (097) Famous plump crunchy apple banana of Mexico. (096) A delicious tasting banana that is highly sought after. This is a small banana, 3 - 5 inches long. It ripens to a complete black and is best then. A bit dryer than most bananas with hints of apple and papaya. (032) The Apple banana is one of the more favored bananas wherever it is known and is grown throughout the tropics of the world. The flavorful fruit resembles an apple because of its' slight tartness. The fruit is best eaten fresh, however, it can be cooked. The Apple banana prefers rich fertile soil. (039) [T]he most popular dessert banana of the tropics. It is widely distributed around the tropics and subtropics but never grown on a large scale. The plant is only medium in vigor, very resistant to Sigatoka but prone to Panama disease. There are only 6 to 12 hands in the bunch, each with 16 to 18 fruits. The plump bananas are 4 to 6 in long, slightly curved; astringent when unripe but pleasantly subacid when fully ripe; and apple scented. If left on the bunch until fully developed, the thin skin splits lengthwise and breaks at the stem end causing the fruit to fall, but it is firm and keeps well on hand in the home.

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAB (009) (028)
HEIGHT: 8-10' (001) (010), 10-12' (002), 10-14' (039) 14-16' (032), 15-25' (009) 15' (910)
DISEASE: Panama susceptible.
HIGHLIGHTS: Apple flavor. Must be very ripe before eating.

ARGENTENO

DESCRIPTION:
San Jose and Del Monte, introduced to San Diego directly from a plantation in Central America. With slender trunks mottled in patches of dark brown, it is an attractive plant of average cold hardiness. It requires some support while fruiting (009)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

ARNIBALI
Is this same as Inarnibal???

DESCRIPTION:
Arnibal or senorita (similar to Sarttra). (906)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

AS GROUP

DESCRIPTION:
Wompa (006)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

ATAN

DESCRIPTION:

TYPE:
GENETICS: AAAB (025)
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

AWAK

DESCRIPTION:
A lot of banana species grow in Malaysia . There are bananas to cook [with] (eg. Nangka, Tanduk, Awak) and those eaten raw like Mas, Rastali, Berangan, and Embun. A plant with hard bark. [E]ach bunch weighs [44-66 lbs]. Sometimes fruits have seeds. (138) Use as fried banana (pisang goreng) or eaten fresh. Each bunch has 8 - 12 hands and weighs [40-48 lbs]. Every hand has 10 - 16 fingers. It has a very medium size fingers ranges from [4-6"] in length and [1-1/4 - 2"] in thickness. Fruit skin is thick, smooth and yellow in colour when ripen. It has creamy white and sticky flesh. In some cases, seeds are present. (139) {EDIT} The dessert types are emas, berangan, rastali, udang and a new clone named cavendish (novaria) whereas the hardy fruits used in cooking and food processing are abu nipah, abu kapur, buloh, tanduk, awak, masam and nangka. (142)

TYPE: COOKING, FRESH
GENETICS: ABB (139)
HEIGHT: 12-15' (138)
DSEASE:
HIGHLIGHTS:

Balbis banana, Starchy banana, Mealy banana, Seedy banana, Wild starchy banana, Pisang batu (025)

DESCRIPTION:
Musa balbisiana and cultivars derived from it lack the red-purple leaf blotches so characteristic of cultivars derived from Musa acuminata. (999) Instead they are a distinctive and attractive blue-green colour caused by a relatively thick layer of surface wax. (011) The second of the primitive seeded varieties thought to be an ancestor to many modern day bananas and plantains. This hardy banana makes a nice landscape and collector variety. (001) A disease resistant variety that bears a seedy fruit but the plant is valued for its' use in banana breeding for new and improved banana varieties. Balbisiana is hardy and makes a wonderful landscape plant. Seeds from the fruit sprout readily. (010) [A] suckering banana. It has large spreading oblong leaves. Stems are strong and sturdy and form huge clumps where grown. Drooping spikes are produced almost throughout the year as stems in a clump mature. The fruits are bluish green and eventually develop yellow skin when mature. Ripe fruits have little pulp but numerous small seeds, characterized by a rough, warty seed coat. Ripe fruits on the plant attract birds, bats and other nocturnal visitors. The ripe seeds ground and eaten have been used for curing dysentery, diarrhea and sore throat. Leaves used for serving food in religious and other festivals and feasts. Male flowers boiled and made into salads and curries. Sheaths make a rope and young new shoots chopped and cooked for cattle fodder. (032) Very tall plant. Fruit not edible. One of the parent species of edible bananas. (038)
Jiao (Chinese)
Kluai taanee (Thai)
(Vietnamese)

TYPE: SEEDED
GENETICS: BB?
HEIGHT: (032) (038) (051)
HIGHLIGHTS:

BALONGKAUE
Tiparot, Pisang abu Siam, Pisang batu, Pisang Siam, Kluai Pli Hai,
Kluai Teparod (025)

DESCRIPTION:
(Pronounced ball long coo.) [A] cooking type. The fruit has a bluish/green outer appearance, with white flesh. Is a very sturdy and attractive plant that can be eaten out of hand when very ripe. (001) (004) (013a) 010)

TYPE: COOKING
GENETICS: ABBB(025)
HEIGHT: 12' (001) (010) (013a)
HIGHLIGHTS:

(000)



BANKSII

DESCRIPTION:
(Pronounced bank-see-aye) Also primitive seeded species having long thinnish leaves with light brown coloration on sheaths & lower petioles. Collectors & landscapers like these. (001) (010)

TYPE: SEEDED
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 8-10' (001) (010)
HGHLIGHTS:

BASJOO
Japanese Fiber Banana, Sakhalin (011)

DESCRIPTION:
This cool tolerant, seeded variety is solid light green and is a fast growing sturdy plant. It frequently sends out rhizomes 2-3 feet away from the corm. It has a golden-cream colored ovate inflorescence making it a very attractive acquisition. Becoming more popular in cooler regions for a tropical appearance. (001) (010) An amazing banana! Believed to be the world's most cold-hardy banana. Hardy planted in the ground to 20'F with a protective mulch. Long slender bright green leaves, inflorescence is absolutely beautiful as the yellow sheaths peel to reveal it's flowers and bananas. A must for the tropical gardener in cool to cold winter climates. (005) (052) Musa basjoo is the correct name for this Chinese species that belongs to the Musa section Musa. This is a very cold tolerant species that can be grown outdoors in many parts of the UK albeit usually requiring some winter protection. It is usually referred to as the Japanese Fibre Banana but the plant it is in fact not native to Japan but to China. This plant will flower outdoors in the UK and produce "little bananas" but the fruit does not develop parthenocarpically. The fruit will only develop properly if it has been pollinated and fertilised. Pollination requires two Musa basjoo plants flowering 4 - 6 weeks apart. Each inflorescence produces female and then male flowers. By the time the male flowers are produced the female flowers on the same inflorescence have dropped off. With luck, by the time the male flowers are developing on the first plant to flower the female flowers on the second plant will be receptive to pollen. The more plants you have the better the chances of success at producing fruit. Fruit produced in this way will contain many seeds but the de-seeded ripe fruit is supposedly edible. It is possible that the flowers could also be pollinated and fertilised with pollen from another Musa. Musa basjoo 'Sakhalin' ... is reputedly an exceptionally cold hardy form of Musa basjoo. This form was collected from Sakhalin island off the Pacific coast of Russia by a Russian botanist and introduced to Europe via Belgium. However, another story has it that the plant was collected by American nurserymen from the airport at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. It did not originate in Sakhalin. It is doubtful if this plant deserves the status of a cultivar as it is insufficiently distinct from "normal" Musa basjoo. (011) World's cold hardiest banana to -3 degF or to -20 degF with heavy mulching. Grows 8-9 ft. in containers. One of the most beautiful flowers of all bananas! Leaves will freeze to ground (030) There is a species, Musa basjoo, the Japanese Fibre Banana, being touted as " the world's cold hardiest banana. It is hardy planted in ground to -3 degrees F. and with protective mulching, down to -20 degrees F". It is from Southern Japan, and is usually grown for the fibre in the leaves, rather than the fruit. The fruit are small and seedy, but edible. (058) [A] hardy banana, probably THE most cold hardy banana species. This species will survive snow and great amounts of cold, acting as a giant deciduous perennial. Unlike most other bananas, the foliage can take down to freezing or even slightly below without damage. its' trunks are know to take mid twenties before begining to freeze down. In fact, one grower I know in the Pacific Northwest summed it up when he said "If it isn't freezing, it's growing." It will reach 8-12' tall in one growing season with enough heat, water, and fertilizer, and can go close to 20' at maturity. In mild climates, it will overwinter and the stands look much like any other banana. While leaves will survive light frosts, they tend to get badly tattered during winter storms, and plants are probably best at least partially cut back early in spring in most situations. Like most bananas, it probably forms its' flower stalk the first year and it emerges and continues the reproductive cycle the second year. If it doesn't freeze down, you may see typical banana flowers and small, seedy, essentially inedible fruit. All bananas seem to appreciate a warm situation, and if you are in the cool coastal belts, you should site this plant so it receives at least some direct sunlight in winter. This species will reportedly take 0°F without protection and -20°F with thick mulch. But unless you are in a very cold area where this species' extreme hardiness will be of value, why not try one of the fruiting types, which will look as good or better and may reward you with fruit as well? This species is actually not the real "Japanese Fiber Banana," M. balbisiana is. And it is not really from Japan, it is from China. In fact, no bananas are truly native to Japan; even M. balbisiana is an introduced species there. (079) This is one of the most exciting bananas. The plant has long, slender, bright green leaves. The Basjoo is the world's cold hardiest banana. It is hardy planted in ground to -3°F and with protective mulching it can survive temperatures reaching down to -20°F. [I]ts' inflorescence is one of the most beautiful of all bananas. Strong fibers in the trunk of the 'Basjoo' have been used to make fabrics. It is a great landscape plant, it lends a tropical appearance to any situation. This is a great addition for gardeners living in cold temperate areas. [D]oes very well in containers and makes a good interior plant. This banana can be grown in all 50 states! (032) Cold hardy to -20 degrees when mulched properly. Musa Basjoo is the hardiest of all bananas. In warm weather months it can grow up to 2 feet in a week. It can flower and bear fruits at 10' or whenever it has 35 leaves. The bananas are not edible. This handsome broad leaved variety can be grown in almost every state since it can handle temperatures of 0 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit if the ground is mulched properly in the very cold months. At 40 degrees it will stop actively growing and at 28 degrees the leaves will die back and the tree can be cut back to a 2'or 3' height. It will grow back rapidly as the warmer season approaches. (105) Ba jiao, Ba jiao you, Gan jiao, Ya jiao. (Chinese) Bashou. (Japanese) (025) This cool tolerant, seeded variety ... is solid light green and is a fast growing sturdy plant. It frequently sends out rhizomes 2-3 feet away from the corm. It has a golden-cream colored ovate inflorescence making it a very attractive acquisition. Becoming more popular in cooler regions for a tropical appearance. (???){edit}

TYPE: SEEDED
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 12' (???), 18' (105), 20' (079)
ORIGIN: China. (011) (079) Ryukyu Islands of Japan (032) (052) (000) (105)
HIGHLIGHTS: Cold hardiness.

BECCARII

DESCRIPTION:
Fast [grower]. Very, pretty ornamental banana from Borneo. Suited for indoors. Good container specimen. Needs a protected site. Propagation suckers, tissue culture, [or] seeds. (038)

TYPE: ORNAMENTAL
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 12' (038)
ORIGIN: BORNEO (038)
HIGHLIGHTS:

BERANGAN

DESCRIPTION:
The brunches are big and weigh between 18-45 lbs. The skin is thick and the fruit is yellow when ripe. (060) (140) Each bunch has 8 - 12 hands and weighed 12 - 20 kg. Every hand has 12 - 20 fingers. It has medium to large size fingers ranges from 12 - 18 cm in length and 2.5 - 3.5 cm in thickness. Fruit skin is thick, smooth and yellow in colour when ripen. It has yellowish orange, pleasant aroma and sweet flesh. (139) {EDIT} The dessert types are emas, berangan, rastali, udang and a new clone named cavendish (novaria) whereas the hardy fruits used in cooking and food processing are abu nipah, abu kapur, buloh, tanduk, awak, masam and nangka. (142)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AA (139)
HEIGHT: 7-9' (060)
HIGHLIGHTS:

Banane noire (Fr.) (025)

DESCRIPTION:

TYPE:
GENETICS: AAB (025)
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

BLOOD
SEE Zebrina

DESCRIPTION:
[Many other local names] [A] cooking banana especially resistant to Panama disease and Sigatoka. It bears a few distinctly separated hands of large, almost straight, starchy fruits, and is of great importance in Burma, Thailand, southern India, East Africa, the Philippines, Samoa, and Grenada. (076)

TYPE:
GENETICS: ABB (025) (028)
HEIGHT: 16-18' (052) (007)
DISEASE: Black sigatoka resistant (126), Panama resistant. (076)

BLUGGOE GROUP

DESCRIPTION:
Fusarium wilt is a serious problem on many banana cultivars. In addition, widely grown clones in the ABB 'Bluggoe' subgroup are also susceptible. (???){edit} Banana cultivars differ in their susceptibility to Yellow Sigatoka with the Cavendish group (AAA) and 'Pome' (AAB) bananas being highly susceptible. 'Sucrier' (AA), 'Bluggoe' (ABB), and 'Silk' (AAB) are of intermediate susceptibility, while 'Mysore' is only slightly susceptible. Fungicides are available for control. (028)

TYPE:
GENETICS: ABB
HEIGHT:
DISEASE: Fusarium Wilt.
HIGHLIGHTS:

DESCRIPTION:
Brazilian bananas are often incorrectly referred to as apple bananas in Hawaii. This group includes the 'Dwarf Brazilian'. (024) There are many cultivars named 'Ladys Finger.' The most common 'Ladys Finger' in south Florida is an AAB, also called 'Pome,' 'Brazilian,' and 'Prata.' It is a tall-growing clone tolerant to cool conditions with small, sweet fruit. However, because of its' susceptibility to wind damage and Panama disease it is not recommended for commercial planting. (028) 5" long, fruit in bunches 30-50 lbs. Excellent flavor and firm, smooth texture. Long shelf life. Good tolerance to cold and wind. (052)

BRAZILIAN LADY FINGER
Hawaiian Apple, Pome

DESCRIPTION:
One of the tastiest of the dessert bananas. [H]as Dwarf brother that grows only 7-9 ft. and produces the same superb fruit. A real favorite for appearance and flavor. (001) (010) This very tall banana will block third story windows to protect your privacy and will easily reduce noise problems. The leaves are firm and thick and have very good wind resistance. The graceful leaves arch dramatically, and are solid green with some pink. These trees like most bananas need full sun. The fruit is extremely sweet and one of the tastiest. (003) A very tall and striking plant. It rapidly produces a medium size bunch small but delicious fruit. (052) [Bears] medium bunches of small but deliciously different tasting fruit. One of the better tasting varieties. Plant is decidedly ornamental due to its' vigor and stature and a distinctive whitish bloom on the trunk and leaf petioles. (007) (047) It is a clone of the Indian cultivar Musa (AAB group) 'Pome' and produces edible fruit. [It] is the clone principally grown on Hawai'i for fruit for local consumption. The origin of this type of banana is thought to be south India but it is said to have been introduced to Hawai'i from Java via Tahiti in 1855. This does not explain how it got it's name which seems not to be known. (011) Solid green trunk and leaves. Leaves can be 8 foot long. Quite an impressive plant, great for landscaping as well as eating, strong root system therefore very wind resistant, the male flower of this banana is quite good especially when used in a salad, the heads of bananas kind of stick out to the side rather than hang down, delicious fruit, the fruit are short and sweet. (013a) Strong growing plant with very sweet fruit (063) [O]ne of better tasting varieties. (096) [A] very durable, wind resistant variety. It will grow to create a wonderful, shady canopy due its' large stature and enormous width. The plant produces a medium sized bunch of short very sweet bananas. This variety prefers to be well fed and enjoys plenty of sun and moisture. (039) It is wind tolerant and has very good quality fruits that are creamy and one of the sweetest bananas. Fruit can be allowed to ripen on or off the plant. Excellent dessert banana. (056) [R]elatively drought hardy, wind resistant, fast growing, and has short, slightly angular (not plump) fruit which (because it has a little acidity as well as sugar) has a rich true banana flavour, in bunches up to 66lbs. It has a tendency to have some undeveloped fruit in the bunch. Because this variety is both tall and slow to come into fruit when grown in warm temperate areas, it must be regarded as a 'maybe', in spite of it's exceptionally good flavor. (058) This is one of the tallest bananas. In spite of its' height, the plant has excellent wind tolerance since it is a stout plant with a strong root system. The fruit quality is very good and may be allowed to ripen on the plant without splitting. The plant is solid green with no red color but due to the majesty of its' size is a good landscaping plant. Small bunches of fruit which are extremely sweet and tasty. (032) {EDIT} Brazilian (also called "apple) bananas, which are small to medium in size with yellow skins. The fruit are squarish between the ridges with a blunt tip. (143)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 12' (910), 14-16' (001) (010), 16' (058) 18' (056), 20' (039) (032), 25' (052) (007)
HIGHLIGHTS: Very tall plant.

BULOH

DESCRIPTION:
{EDIT} The dessert types are emas, berangan, rastali, udang and a new clone named cavendish (novaria) whereas the hardy fruits used in cooking and food processing are abu nipah, abu kapur, buloh, tanduk, awak, masam and nangka. (142)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:

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