ENCANTO FARMS

"we be bananas" in San Diego

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ORINOCO
Horse Banana, Burro, Better Select, Bluggoe (009), Quadrano (011), Plantano de Burro, Largo (032), Hog (076)

DESCRIPTION:
Named from the region in South America near the Orinoco river where they grew profusely. These angulated cooking bananas are also a tasty treat out of hand when fully ripe. Their versatility make them popular in many regions of the world. (001) (004) (010) The most common banana in Southern California, having been grown in this area for over one hundred years. It is semi-hardy, drought-resistant, tolerant of many soil types. The fruit is very plump, with a distinct angular shape. While it has a good flavor, the texture suffers from a pithy core. (009) The correct name for this cultivar is probably Musa 'Quadrano' although it is now very widely known as 'Orinoco'. The name 'Orinoco' is due to W. O. Lessard who first encountered the plant growing by the Orinoco River. Lessard was a pioneer banana nurseryman in Florida who wrote a very influential but sometimes inaccurate book on bananas. It is a shame that Lessard seemingly chose to re-name the plant because it seems there is another 'Orinoco' on Cuba belonging to the AAB group. Also the name 'Quadrano' nicely refers to the strongly 4-angled fruit, common among plants of the ABB genotype. It is a dual purpose banana and can be used for cooking as a vegetable or when fully ripe eaten as a Dessert fruit. [O]ne of those cultivars that gives the lie to the suggestion that there is a real distinction between dessert "bananas" and cooking "plantains". But its main claim to fame is its hardiness. [O]ne of the most cold tolerant bananas bearing edible fruit. If it is possible to fruit a banana outdoors in the UK, and they are not likely to be as flavoursome as those from the supermarket, it is likely that it will be 'Orinoco' or 'Rajapuri'. In the USA, mature leaves of Orinoco have been reported to be hardy to [30 degrees F] with wind, [per the following link which was inoperative 08/05/2004.]http://unix.utb.edu/~paullgj/tropicalagriculture/tropag.html (011) This is the banana of choice for making tostones, it originates from the Orinoco river valley of Venezuela, and will produce heads of fruit as much as 65 pounds, it has a triangular shaped fruit that is 8 to 10 inches long, it is actually 1/2 banana and 1/2 plantain. When fried is makes a great breakfast treat or serve them fried for dinner with black beans and rice and eat as a plaintain, when ripe it turns a golden yellow and the banana is super sweet, delicious eaten out of hand like this , when eaten green it is like a vegatable. This is the most versatile banana of the lot, it is delicious when you dehydrate them into chips as well. (013a) This is the most commonly grown banana in South Florida. [It] is a solid green banana that grows to about 16 feet. If it is crowded it can achieve 20 feet. This dual-purpose banana is delicious when used like a green plantain or eaten fresh when ripe. The fruit tastes best when left on the plant until yellow. The angular fruit is 8 to 10 inches long and thick. Long established in Florida, this hardy variety can endure wind and cold. Orinoco needs to be supported when carrying large heads of fruit. (056) [A]ngular shaped fruit eaten fresh or cooked. (063) Hardy vigorous plant that clumps easily, producing a very tropical effect. Produces large racemes of angular fruit that can be eaten out-of-hand or cooked. Relatively cold hardy. Easy to grow. Produces fruit nearly every year. One of the most common bananas growing along the U.S. Gulf Coast. (030) [A] medium tall, sturdy plant, is particularly hardy. The bunch consists of only a few hands of very thick, 3 angled fruits about 6" long. The flesh has a salmon tint, is firm, edible raw when fully ripe but much better cooked fried, baked or otherwise, as are plantains. (076) Probably the best cold-tolerant fruiting banana, along with its dwarf sport 'Dwarf Orinoco', this bullet-proof variety is THE one to try if you only have space for one plant. It has been successfully fruited in Phoenix, Arizona and darn near every year in one garden in Modesto, California. Probably a plantain or plantain hybrid, it was found by its introducer growing along the Orinoco River in Venezuela but is originally from India. Fruits are short, thick, and heavily angled. Flavor is about like a Cavendish (store banana) when fully ripe, or they can be cooked green like plantains. The fruit should be turning yellow before being removed from the stalk or they will be very starchy and not sweet. It can sometimes have a pithy core. This one, like most ABB types, probably needs a good, hot summer for decent fruit production, though it is known to produce along the coast - eventually. It has been grown in California for over a hundred years and is known for drought tolerance. (079) Produces 40-50 pounds of bananas in each bunch. Probably the most hardy variety in our area. (097) The plant is vigorous and produces large clumps of wind resistant foliage and a very tropical landscape effect. The fruit can be eaten ripe or cooked.Its distinct angular fruits are produced regularly in zone 9 and may prove hardier. (038) [O]ne of the most popular plantains growing along the US Gulf Coast. The fruit ... is about eight to ten inches long and of an unusual angular form, growing to a point at one end. When ripened on the plant the Orinoco is very delicious. However, it is also very cooked as a vegetable or fried. Named after the Orinoco River in Venezuela where they are native. (039) This is the banana of choice for making tostones. It originates from the Orinoco river valley of Venezuela. [I]will produce heads of fruit as much as 65 pounds, it has a triangular shaped fruit that is 8 to 10 inches long, it is actually 1/2 banana and 1/2 plantain. When fried is makes a great breakfast treat or serve them fried for dinner with black beans and rice and eat as a plaintain, when ripe it turns a golden yellow and the banana is super sweet, delicious eaten out of hand like this, when eaten green it is like a vegatable. This is the most versatile banana of the lot, it is delicious when you dehydrate them into chips as well. [F]ast grower and quick to fruit. (133)

TYPE: COOKING, FRESH (fully ripe)
GENETICS: AAB(tall & dwf) (006), ABB (009) (064) (079)
HEIGHT: 10' (079), 10-12' (056), 12-14' (001) (010), 16-20' (032) (056), 17-21' (038), 18' (013a)
ORGIN: India (079) (097), Venezuela. (011) (001) (010)
HIGHLIGHTS: Cold Tolerence, Hardiness, good for Tostones.

ORITO

DESCRIPTION:
Fruit is similar to Nino but the plant is larger (063)

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ORNAMENTAL

DESCRIPTION:
Bloodleaf, Basjoo,Musa Beccarii, Musa Lasiocarpa, Musa Mannii, Musa Coccinea, Musa Ornata Bronze, Dusty Rose, Leyte White, Magenta, Pink & Red (001) Musa ornata, 'African Red', Musa ornata 'Bronze'(see Musa laterita), Musa ornata 'Macro', Musa ornata 'Purple', Musa ornata 'Royal Pink', Musa ornata 'Royal Purple', Musa ornata 'Royal Red', Musa ornata 'Red Salmon'

ORNATA

DESCRIPTION:
One of several flowering ornamental beauties that are a colorful addition to landscape or gardens. The erect flower extends from the lush greenery of the leaves as if playing hide and seek. (001) (010) [For} Musa ornata 'African Red', Musa ornata 'Bronze', Musa ornata Dusty Rose, Musa ornata Leyte White, Musa ornata 'Macro', Musa ornata, Magenta, Musa ornata PinkMusa ornata 'Purple', Musa ornata Red, Musa ornata 'Royal Pink', Musa ornata 'Royal Purple', Musa ornata 'Royal Red', Musa ornata 'Red Salmon' - see Musa laterita. (006) The true Musa ornata is from India and is a small species. It is an attractive plant with blue-green foliage and an inflorescence with lilac-pink bracts subtending orange-yellow flowers. It belongs to the Musa section Rhodochlamys. [A]n adaptable little plant and one of the earliest and greatest Musa travellers. From its home in India it reached Central and South America early in the 19th century where it became naturalised to such an extent that, more than once, it has been mistaken for a native American banana. [N]ot an especially variable plant in itself but it hybridises freely with the result that there are a number of hybrids derived from it especially in tropical America. Like "true" Musa ornata these tend to have attractive inflorescences and are grown on a large scale, in Costa Rica for example, as cut flowers for the north American market. These cut flower Musa ornata-types are a mixed bunch. Some are simply "pure" Musa ornata given a specious cultivar name; Americans are particularly fond, for no good reason, of giving cultivar names to species which can be very confusing. Some are hybrids of unknown parentage but that no doubt includes Musa ornata. Some are not Musa ornata or indeed hybrids at all but other Musa species mislabelled. The particular significance of Musa ornata's tendency to hybridise is that most of the seed sold commercially as Musa ornata originates in Central or South America and may not therefore be the "pure" species. There is also the intriguing probability that Musa ornata is not a normal species anyway but a "secondary species", a relic of a hybrid swarm between Musa flaviflora and Musa velutina! (011) The Ornata's [are a confused bunch]. . Some species like Laterita, and now Gracilis (Leyte White) and Siamensis were mislabeled as ornata (Laterita 'Bronze' goes way back though), and most every ornamental hybrids have been called Musa Ornata. Somebody that hasn't spent a load of time trying to figure everything out would rightly be confused (almost everything in the trade is wrong on these). It didn't help when Stokes tropicals "introduced" about a dozen plants they were told were hybrids and still called them all Ornata. The 'Bronze' Ornata was the first, and that goes back before my time. I think it was introduced as a form of Musa Ornata way back when and then much later correctly ID'ed. The other naming problems could have been prevented. (933) TYPE: ORNAMENTAL
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 3-9' (011), 5-7' (001)
ORIGIN: India (011)
HIGHLIGHTS:

ORNATA BRONZE

DESCRIPTION:
Bronze orange bracts and bright yellow flowers. The foliage & stem have pink tones. [G]reat container specimen (038)

TYPE: ORNAMENTAL
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 5-10' (038)

ORNATA LAVENDER LADY
Lavender Beauty (038)

DESCRIPTION:

TYPE: ORNAMENTAL
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 5-10' (038)

ORNATA MACRO

DESCRIPTION:
Grown primarilly as an ornamental because of its attractive flowering inflorescence of pink, yellow and orange. (038)

TYPE: ORNAMENTAL
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 5-9' (038)

ORNATA RED SALMON

DESCRIPTION:
Musa laterita is sometimes sold under the incorrect names Musa ornata 'Bronze' or 'Red Salmon'. (064)

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PACE
IMPROVED GOLDFINGER (032)

DESCRIPTION:
A 'Goldfinger' sport, but with bigger racemes. (032) [A] new variety, a sport of 'Goldfinger' and described as "improved," with larger racemes. [I]t is wind tolerant and a fast grower. Should be every bit as good as 'Goldfinger' and them some. (079) High wind resistance, some cold tolerance and excellent disease resistance. it is a cultivar from Honduras defined as an improved FHIA-1. Delicious tasting bananas. Ethylene should not be used for ripening since the fruit`s flavor is enhanced and the texture becomes firmer when naturally ripened.The average bunch weight is 45 lbs (038)

TYPE: DESSERT GENETICS: AAB? (006), AAAB (038)
HEIGHT: 14' (032) (038), 15' ( (079)

PALAYNKODEN
SEE Mysore

PARADISIACA

DESCRIPTION:
Musa x paradisiaca [or] Musa paradisiaca (just forget the x as it is completely irrelevant) is a very precise name almost always used in such an imprecise manner as to render it meaningless. In a precise sense Musa paradisiaca is the "type specimen" for the whole genus Musa, that is, it was the first Musa named by Linnaeus when he founded modern botanical nomenclature in his Species Plantarum of 1753. Linnaeus' type specimen has been identified as the cultivar Musa (AAB group) 'French' plantain. This cultivar is not offered anywhere in the UK at present. Some authors use Musa paradisiaca as the Linnean name for all cultivated bananas. This really is not justifiable not least because it lumps together different plants that are quite distinct from each other and from 'French' plantain. Also there is another perfectly good nomenclature system based on the genome group (used in this list) that allows the various types to be clearly differentiated. (011)

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PELIPITA

DESCRIPTION:
A dark green plant that ... produces a cooking banana that is angulated in shape. It is a hardy plant resistant to disease which is why it is used as a progenitor for many other hybrids. (001) 'Maricongo', 'Common Dwarf', 'Pelipita', 'Saba' are the leading cultivars. In Florida, 'Macho' is grown as a dooryard cultivar. (098) A dark green plant that ... produces a cooking banana that is angulated in shape. It is a hardy plant resistant to disease, which is why it is used as a progenitor for many other hybrids. (004) (010)

TYPE: COOKING
GENETICS: ABB (028)
HEIGHT: 10-12' (001) (004) (010)
HIGHLIGHTS:

PHILIPPINE VARIETIES

DESCRIPTION:
Of the 80 distinct Philippine banana cultivars, Lakatan, Latundan, Bungulan and Saba are popularly grown for the local market. Dwarf Cavendish, Giant Cavendish, Umalag and Grand Naine are produced for export. Saba is the chief source of banana chips and catsup. (019) The Philippines' has different varieties of banana - from the cooking variety named Saba, to small sweet Latundan, to the bigger exportable bongolan, to red-skinned morado, to full of seeds Espanola, to small, finger-like senoritas. There are many uses to the saging. The saba for example is used as a main ingredient for pochero, a hearty meat stew, and also for sweets like turon, minatamis na saging, ginataan, binayo and others. The heart of banana (puso ng saging) is used as a vegetable. The leaves are used also for cooking as wraps for ibos, tinumis and others. The pith of the banana trunk is also considered a delicacy in my province of Aklan - we have a dish called manok nga inubaran - chicken with banana pith - considered as the best vegetable dish in Aklan - as immortalized in a song. (020) In 1991, banana topped local production among the other major fruits such as pineapple and mango, thus eating up more than one-third of the production pie. Bananas have various uses. The ripe fruit is pureed, candied, and preserved in various forms when not eaten fresh. Its extract is used in the manufacture of catsup, vinegar, and wine. The unripe fruit is powdered and chipped. In rural areas, the young leaves are pounded to suppress bleeding and treat wounds. The leaves are also widely used as packing materials for fruits and vegetables in market centers. Banana fiber is manufactured into rope, sack, and mat. Sheets of paper and paper boards are also made from banana peel. Banana blossom is exported dried. Filipino housewives use it in special dishes.The banana is native to Southeast Asia where the climate is warm and humid. Of the 57 banana cultivars, the following are the most common in the Philippines: Saba grows to as tall as 20 feet; fruit is angular; has thick peel that is green when unripe, yellow when ripe; flesh is white when ripe; gestation period is 15 to 16 months. Lacatan grows to a height of five to nine feet; fruit is round, seedless; has thick peel that has green when unripe, yellow-orange when ripe; gestation period is 14 to 15 months. Latundan grows from six to 10 feet tall; fruit is round; has thin peel that is green when unripe, yellow when ripe; flesh is white when ripe; gestation period is 12 months. Bungulan fruit is round, very sweet, seedless and easily rots; has thick peel that is green when unripe and remains green when ripe; flesh is white when ripe; gestation period is 12 months. Cavendish reaches five to 10 feet high; fruit is bigger than Bungulan; peel is green when unripe, yellow when ripe; flesh is yellow when ripe; export quality; gestation period is six to eight months. Other varieties grown in the country include the Morado, Pitogo, Los Banos, Senorita, Tindok, Gloria, Granda, and Tumok. (067)

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PINK FRENCH

DESCRIPTION:

TYPE: PLANTAIN
GENETICS: AAB (025)
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PINK JAMAICA
See WEEPING JAMAICA

PINK STRIPED

DESCRIPTION:

TYPE:
GENETICS: AA (006)
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PISANG AMBON
Pisang Ambon (Mal, Ind); Kluai Hom Thong (Tha); Thihmwe (Mya)

DESCRIPTION:
{EDIT} (141)

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PISANG AWAK
Kluai Namwa (028)

DESCRIPTION:

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PISANG AWAK SUBGROUP

DESCRIPTION:
Fusarium wilt is a serious problem on many banana cultivars, [including] Chuoi Tay (Vietnam), Kayinja (Africa), Kluai Namwa (Thailand) which belong to the ABB 'Pisang Awak' subgroup. (130)

PISANG BERLIN

DESCRIPTION:

TYPE:
GENETICS: AA (006) (028)
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PISANG CEYLON
DESCRIPTION:
Pisang Ceylon (imp. Mysore). It is resistant to the Banana Streak Virus. (032)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
DISEASE: Black sigatoka resistant (126), Banana Streak Virus resistant. (032)
HIGHLIGHTS:

PISANG JARI BUAYA

DESCRIPTION:
This hardy dessert variety [has] long leaves and a thin pseudostem. The fruit is slender and long with a slightly sub-acid sweet fruit. Rare and unique. (001) (010)

TYPE:
GENETICS: AB (006)
HEIGHT: 8-10' (001) (010)
HIGHLIGHTS:

PISANG KEPK

DESCRIPTION:
{EDIT} Pisang Kepok (Ind); Pisang Abu Keling (Mal); Kluai Hak Muk (Tha) (141)

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PISANG KLOTEK

DESCRIPTION:
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PISANG LEMAK MANIS

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PISANG LIDI

DESCRIPTION:

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GENETICS: AA (006) (064)
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PISANG MAS {EDIT} (141)

DESCRIPTION:
Pisang Mas (India, Malay); Kluai Kai (Thai); Segale nget-pyaw (Myanmar)

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PISANG MAS SUBGROUP

DESCRIPTION:
Fusarium wilt is a serious problem on many banana cultivars. The Pisang Mas subgroup (AA 'Sucrier') [has] been reported as susceptible in some environments. (130)

PISANG MASAK HIJAU
Bungulan(076), Monte Cristo, Giant Fig, Pisang Embun Lumut, Pisang Ambon Lumut, Pisang Ambon Loemoet, Pisang Berangan , Pisang Barangan (025), Bungulan (Tagalog) (025), Klue Hom Kiau, Kluai Hom Kiau (025)

DESCRIPTION:
[T]he triploid Cavendish clone of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaya, is erroneously called 'Lacatan' in Jamaica where it replaced 'Gros Michel' because of its immunity to Panama disease, though it is subject to Sigatoka (leaf spot). The plant is tall and slender and prone to wind injury. Its fruits ripen unevenly in winter, bruise easily and are inclined to spoil in storage. It is no longer grown commercially in Jamaica and the Windward Islands. The fruits are commonly used as cooking bananas in Jamaican households. Simmonds declares this cultivar is not the true 'Lacatan' of the Philippines. He suggested that 'Pisang masak hijau' may have been the primary source of all the members of the Cavendish group. (076) [F]ruit is round, very sweet, seedless and easily rots; has thick peel that is green when unripe and remains green when ripe; flesh is white when ripe. (067)
[F]ruit is round, very sweet, seedless and easily rots; has thick peel that is green when unripe and remains green when ripe; flesh is white when ripe; gestation period is 12 months. (066) Bungulan fruit is round, very sweet, seedless and easily rots; has thick peel that is green when unripe and remains green when ripe; flesh is white when ripe; gestation period is 12 months. (067) {EDIT} Bungulan (Phi); Pisang Ambon Lumut (Ind, Mal); Kluai Hom Kiau (Tha) (141)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAA (025)
HEIGHT:
DISEASE: Sigatoka sucseptible.
HIGHLIGHTS:

PISANG NEPAH

DESCRIPTION:

TYPE:
GENETICS: BBB (025)
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PISANG RAJA
Raja (025),Pisang Rajah, Grindy (028) (025) (038)

DESCRIPTION:
A wonderful Indian variety with a yellow-orange flesh and sweet delectable flavor. Once you have tasted this baby you're hooked on this ... delicacy. (001) (010) A large hardy variety which bears medium bunches of exceptionally high quality fruit. The plant tolerates wind and cold well. (005) (007) Has unusual, orange-fleshed fruit. The plant is vigorous, producing many large flavorful fruit. Semi-hardy. Indian Group(009) [A] sturdy plant, tolerating cold and wind. It is one of the most delicious bananas and has orange-fleshed, slightly fuzzy fruit that are between 6 to7 inches long. It is the most productive of the orange-fleshed bananas. (056) [A]n important variety in Malaysia and Indonesia. [U]p to 55 lb. bunches of medium sized sweet bananas. It is relatively tolerant to wind and cooler conditions. (058) A large plant that produces a delicious sweet ogange-fleshed fruit. (063) Large, hardy variety tolerant to wind and cold. (096) Pisang types hail from Malaysia but aren't all related. Some Pisangs are AA while the Pisang Raja group itself is AAB. (079) [Belle] is a 'Pisang Raja' sport. Most rigorous growing banana in Florida. (032)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAB (009) (025) (028) (038) (079) (032)
HEIGHT: 14' (001) (010), 15' (058), 15-20' (009), 16' (038), 20' (056)
HIGHLIGHTS: Orange Flesh.

PISANG RASTALI

DESCRIPTION:
Fusarium wilt is a serious problem on many banana cultivars, [including] Latundan (Philippines), Ma�� (Brazil), Pisang Rastali (Malaysia), Rasthali (India) ... belong to the AAB 'Silk' subgroup. (130)

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HIGHLIGHTS: Fusarium wilt susceptible.

PISANG SERIBU
See THOUSAND FINGERS

PITANGO
DESCRIPTION:
Purchased as a Pitogo but proved to be something else, hence the new name to reflect its origin and also its unknown status.
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PITOGO
Ugly Banana (009)

DESCRIPTION:
A wonderfully different looking fruit that resembles a fig more than a banana. Its ping-pong ball looking fruit is as delicious as it is unusual. A real conversation piece as well as a special treat. (001) (010) A unique looking banana, it's fruit resembling tennis balls in shape and size, more round than long. Flavor is excellent and quite tasty! (005) [A] very unusual banana. It has a solid green pseudostem. Banana resemble tennis balls in size and in shape; they are round not elongated. [A] must for serious collectors. (032) Unusual banana with small nearly round fruit. Fruit is very tasty. [F]airly stocky horizontal-to-ascending leaves. Medium green plant [with] very sparse black blotching, [and a] small amount of red on leaf sheaths. [B]unches nearly pendulous, very compact, 7 hands, 16 fingers/hand. Fruit very small and spherical, horizontally born. (038)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAB (009) (038)
HEIGHT: 10-12' (032) (001) (010), 12' (038)
HIGHLIGHTS: Unusual fruit shape.

PLANTAINS

DESCRIPTION:
Plantains are used for cooking. (056) Among the plantains, there are many forms, some with pink, red or dark-brown leaf sheaths, some having also colored midribs or splotches on leaves or fruits. The plants are usually large, vigorous and resistant to Panama disease and Sigatoka but attacked by borers. (076) Plantains are hybrid bananas in which the male flowering axis is either degenerated, lacking, or possesses relics of male flowers. Plantains are always cooked before consumption and are higher in starch than bananas. The two groups of plantains, French and and Horn, produce fewer fruit per plant than sweet bananas. The groups differ in whether the male parts of the inflorescence are persistent or absent. (028) Major subgroups are known as 'French plantain' and 'Horn plantain', the former with persistent male flowers. The usually large, angled fruits are borne in few hands. All are important sources of food in southern India, East Africa, tropical America and the West Indies. (076) Starchy cooking bananas, or plantains, are also found in Hawaii. Largo, Maia maole, and Popoulu are various plantain groups. (024) Bananas and plantains are not the same. Similar, but not the same. Most of the bananas grown in the world are cooking bananas. Go to the Philippines, Indonesia, Ghana, Guiana, India, Ceylon or the Seychelles, and almost no kid carries a banana to school in a lunch bag. The bananas they raise are generally the cooking varieties. Starchy, more alum-like quality, and stay firm when fried or boiled. Bananas grown for the North American and European markets are the ones that are eaten raw. These have generally been the Grand Nain and Gros Michel. Across Mexico and Central America, about the most commonly grown banana is the Cavendish. It is used mostly for cooking -- no one considers it a plantain. Bananas and plantains are different varieties ? and when cooked, definitely taste different. While one can eat a very ripe cooking banana and not get stomach, this is not so with a plantain. Comparing them from their botanical properties, the pseudo-caudex of bananas has brown ribbons, while the plantain has no ribbons or very few ribbons. The leafstalks of bananas spread out and have wings, while the leafstalks of the plantain close up, and have no wings or very few wings. The ears of bananas have fine wools, while plantain ears have no wools at all. Crieger (033) Plantain cultivars: (generally AAB, ABB, and BBB genomes) (098)

FRENCH PLANTAIN TYPES: 'Black French' (Trinidad), 'Giant Plantain' (Trinidad), 'Green French' (Trinidad), 'Kaali Eththan' (India), 'Kaleththan' (India), 'Madre del Platanar' (Colombia), 'Maque�o', 'Pink French' (Trinidad), 'Tiger' (Jamaica), 'Wine Plantain' (Trinidad). (025) Green French, Banane creole, Pink French, Wine, Banae rouge, Black French, Banae noire, Tiger, Banae Puce, Giant, Banae cent livres. (AAB) (028)

HORN PLANTAIN TYPES: 'Banana Pacova' (Brazil), 'Banane Corne' (West Indies), 'Dominico Gigante' (Colombia), 'Harton' (Colombia), 'Platano Comun' (P.Rico), 'Kluai ngar chang' (Thailand), 'Liberal' (Colombia), 'Moongil' (Southern India), 'Pisang Tandok' (Malaysia), 'Platano Macho' (Mexico). (025) Horse plantain, Banane corne, Dominico Gigante, Pisang tandok, Common plantain (AAB). (028)

AFRICAN RHINO HORN - [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. The Rhino Horn has leaves and a pseudostem that is dappled red. The fruit is good for cooking and eating out-of-hand. Rhino Horn is a favorite of corm borer pests. 12' (056)

COMMON DWARF - The tall 'Maricongo' and the 'Common Dwarf' are leading commercial cultivars. A dwarf mutant is the 'Plantano enano' of Puerto Rico ('banane cochon' of Haiti). (076) 'Maricongo', 'Common Dwarf', 'Pelipita', 'Saba' are the leading cultivars. In Florida, 'Macho' is grown as a dooryard cultivar. (098)

DWARF PUERTO RICAN - It has a distinctive bronze colored trunk and leaves. Plant in a warm and well-protected site with optimal growing conditions. 6-8' (056)

FHIA-3 - [A] disease-resistant cultivar that doubles as both a dessert banana and a cooking banana. it is now grown commercially in Grenada and Cuba (where it is used primarily as a ripe dessert banana). The plants are hardy, semi-dwarf, sturdy and productive, resistant to black Sigatoka, Panama disease, and Moko disease and tolerant to nematodes. After evaluation at ECHO [Educational Concerns for Haiti Organization] this may be made available for sale (summer 2002). 10' (056)

FHIA-25 - [A] hardy, semi-dwarf cooking banana that is highly resistant to black Sigatoka. This hybrid is for cooking green only. Rated by consumers in Honduras as being equal to or better than boiled and fried plantains. (056)

HUA MOA or HAWAIIANO - [A] banana-plantain cross [grown] commercially on the E. Coast of Florida. The 'melon-shaped' fruits are 6 to 11 in. long and 3 in. or more in diameter. The orange flesh is good for eating fresh and highly esteemed in Cuba as a cooking banana for making tostones. Remove the stalk before it ripens or the fruit will split as it yellows. 10-12' (056)

KAU LAU - [A] vigorous Hawaiian plantain. This cultivar produces large bunches of excellent cooking bananas. 16' (056)

LAKNAU - [A] fertile plantain that resembles 'Horn' but is of inferior quality. It has opened up possibilities for hybridizing and is being crossed with 'Pelipita' and 'Saba'. (076)

MARICONGO - The tall 'Maricongo' and the 'Common Dwarf' are leading commercial cultivars. A dwarf mutant is the 'Plantano enano' of Puerto Rico ('banane cochon' of Haiti). (076) 'Maricongo', 'Common Dwarf', 'Pelipita', 'Saba' are the leading cultivars. In Florida, 'Macho' is grown as a dooryard cultivar. (098)

PELIPITA - The leading commercial cultivars are 'Pelipita' and 'Saba' which are resistant to Black Sigatoka but they do not have the high culinary quality of 'Harton', 'Dominico-Harton', 'Currare', and 'Horn'. [Laknau] Has opened up possibilities for hybridizing and is being crossed with 'Pelipita' and 'Saba'. (076) 'Maricongo', 'Common Dwarf', 'Pelipita', 'Saba' are the leading cultivars. In Florida, 'Macho' is grown as a dooryard cultivar. (098)

SABA - The leading commercial cultivars are 'Pelipita' and 'Saba' which are resistant to Black Sigatoka but they do not have the high culinary quality of 'Harton', 'Dominico-Harton', 'Currare', and 'Horn'. [Laknau] Has opened up possibilities for hybridizing and is being crossed with 'Pelipita' and 'Saba'. (076) Saba has a wide variety of banana clones. (104) 'Maricongo', 'Common Dwarf', 'Pelipita', 'Saba' are the leading cultivars. In Florida, 'Macho' is grown as a dooryard cultivar. (098)

Ordinary plantains are called 'cuadrado', 'chato', and 'topocho' in Mexico. (076) 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.

POME GROUP

DESCRIPTION:
Fusarium wilt is a serious problem on many banana cultivars, [including] Lady Finger (Australia), Prata (Brazil), Virupakshi (India) which belong to the AAB 'Pome' subgroup. (130) 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)

POOVAN

DESCRIPTION:
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POPOULU

DESCRIPTION:
Polynesian cooking banana with superb flavor. Its short stout fruit and dark green foliage make it a magnificent looking specimen as well as great tasting treat. (004) This well liked Hawaiian variety which produces plump salmon pink fruit with a delicious apple like flavor. It is a slender plant which likes a sheltered location with filtered light. [A] well liked Hawaiian variety whose name translates "Ball Shaped Like Breadfruit" and refers to the plump, individual fruits which may be eaten fresh or cooked. The flesh is salmon pink and has a pleasing slight acid apple-like flavor. The plant itself is slender. (007) Can be eaten raw, but is commonly cooked. Bears good-sized bunches of short plump fruits with pink flesh. (009) [A] popular Hawaiian plantain that grows wild in hillsides. Likes shade. Slender. Fruit is a light pink and has a mild apple-like taste. Popular for cooking or eaten fresh. Primarily green in color. (031) [A[ popular Hawaiian plantain variety. The fruit can be eaten out-of-hand or cooked. The flesh is a salmon pink and has a very pleasing sub acid apple-like taste. (032) 6" long stubby fruit with pink, apple flavored flesh. Eaten fresh or cooked. Best in filtered shade with ample moisture. (052) A Hawaiian variety that produces plump individual fruit with a salmon pink flesh and an apple like flavor (063) Hawaiian variety with plump fruit eaten fresh or cooked. Hawaiian cultivar: it can be eaten or cooked green. The fruits are large. (038) In contrast to the Popoulu, [Hua Moa] bears far fewer fruits, but they are considerably larger. (009) The one... called mai'a popo'ulu (literally, breadfruit ball-like banana) and had pink flesh; it is used mainly in cooking. (113) All the varieties [of banana] were kapu (forbidden) to woman except for three types. These types were mai'a hapai (pregnant banana), mai'a popo ulu (breadfruit-like ball shaped banana) and mai'a mahoe (twin banana). (108) {EDIT} Miamaoli and Popoulu are two common cooking bananas. Miamaoli is a large, long and round banana that is full at both ends and with yellow skin, while Popoulu is small, very thick and short with round ends. The flesh of both these bananas is pinkish when raw, but turn yellow and transllucent when cooked. (143)

TYPE: COOKING, FRESH
GENETICS: AAB (006) (025) AAB (009)
HEIGHT: 12-14' (004) (009) (032), 14' (005) (007) (038), 16' (031)
HIGHLIGHTS: Flesh color.

POPOULU GROUP

DESCRIPTION:

Largo, Maia maole, and Popoulu are various plantain groups. Starchy cooking bananas, or plantains, are found in Hawaii. (024) Fusarium wilt is a serious problem on many banana cultivars. Fusarium wilt is a serious problem on many banana cultivars. If the disease were to spread to the South Pacific, cultivars in the popular Pacific cooking banana subgroup (AAB 'Maia Maoli/Popoulou') would also be vulnerable as representatives have shown susceptibility in field tests. (145)

POPOULU - Can be eaten raw, but is commonly cooked. Bears good-sized bunches of short plump fruits with pink flesh. 12-14'.

HUA MOA - One of the finest cooking bananas, it is also very palatable eaten raw. In contrast to the Popoulu it bears far fewer fruits, but they are considerably larger. The plant is very slender and elegant with long narrow leaves. Tender. 8-12'. (009)

TYPE: COOKING
GENETICS: AAB (006)
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

PRATA

DESCRIPTION:
Fusarium wilt is a serious problem on many banana cultivars, [including] Lady Finger (Australia), Prata (Brazil), Virupakshi (India) which belong to the AAB 'Pome' subgroup. (130)

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PRAYING HANDS
Ripping (009)

DESCRIPTION:
[A] real eye stopper. The fruit is fused together making each hand look like a baseball [mitt] or hands in the praying pose. When completely ripe it is possible to separate the fingers to reveal a great tasting vanilla flavored banana. A must for the real banana enthusiast. (001) (010) (104) [O]ne of the most unusual varieties of banana. The fruit is not separated like most varieties. Each hand is fused together forming a mass which resembles praying hands. The peel connecting each fruit is thin, and the fruit can be separted and eaten individually when ripe. A more interesting way of serving this fruit, is to vertically slice each hand and place it on a dish to be eaten with a spoon. The fruit is very sweet and can be left on the plant until it ripens with little worry of it splitting. The plant ... can withstand short duration's of frost without being damaged. (027) This produces perhaps the most unusual and distinctive of all banana fruits. Two adjacent hands of bananas are fused, giving the appearance of praying hands. This is not just a collector's item, the fruits are delicious ripe, containing a hint of vanilla flavor. When totally ripe, individual bananas can be carefully separated from each other. An excellent all-around plant with some wind resistance; it is very collectible. (032) [A] unique cultivar from Indonesia. Each individual banana is fused together in a hand. Fruit is very sweet with a hint of vanilla. Fruit can ripen on the stock without splitting and individual bananas will easily pull apart from the fused mass when they are yellow with ripeness. This vigorous sturdy banana produces both fruit and suckers frequently. (056) An interesting looking plant that clumps together, a real conversation piece. The fruit is sweet when fully ripe. (063) Very unusual banana. Two adjacent hands of bananas giving the appearance of praying hands. Delicious fruits with a hint of vanilla. (038) The Indonesian Praying Hands is an incredible sight. Each hand of bananas is entirely fused together in pairs. It appears that the bananas are praying! The unusual fruit is very tasty and must be delicately peeled. This fast growing plant prefers full sun, fertile soil and plenty of water. This one is a must for collectors! (039) Surprisingly good as a fresh banana. Light green trunk with very clean "lines". (910)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 10-14' (001) (010) (104), 12-13' (910), 12' (038) (027), 12-14' (032), 13' (910)
ORIGIN: Indonesia. (039) (056)
HIGHLIGHTS: Unique shape of hands of fruit.

PUERTO RICAN DWARF PLANTAIN

DESCRIPTION:
[A] handsome plant ... which produces a medium bunch of 30-40 fruit of large size which are delicious cooked. The plants have a distinctive bronzy salmon coloring in the trunk and leaf sheathes which makes it quite attractive. The plan does seem to require a warm protected site with optimal care more than some of the other tougher varieties. (007) [Produces] a superior fruit and commonly used for "maduros" and "tostones", a staple in the Caribbean and Hispanic cuisine. This is the one you find in the super market. (010) [Giant Plantain is a] taller version of the "Puerto Rican DWARF PLANTAIN". Both produce a superior fruit and are commonly used for "maduros" and "tostones", a staple in the Caribbean and Hispanic cuisine. This is the one you find in the super market. (011)

TYPE: PLANTAIN
GENETICS: AAB (009)
HEIGHT: 6-8' (007), 8' (001) (010)
HIGHLIGHTS:

O-Q