The Bananas Of The Musa Ingens

The plant species Musa ingens is the physically largest member of the family Musaceae and the only member of the section Ingentimusa. Growing in the tropical montane forests of New Guinea – Arfak Mountains Regency – Indonesia, its leaves can reach a length of 5 meters (16 feet) and a width of 1 m (39 inches).

 

Scientific classificationedit

Kingdom:

Plantae

Clade:

Tracheophytes

Clade:

Angiosperms

Clade:

Monocots

Clade:

Commelinids

Order:

Zingiberales

Family:

Musaceae

Genus:

Musa

Species:

M. ingens

Binomial name.

 

Description

The “trunk” (actually the tightly rolled petioles (or stalks) of its leaves; the longest petioles of any known plant) is typically up to 15 meters (49 feet) in height, and with the leaves having a total height of 20 meters (66 feet). However, since its discovery in 1954 taller individuals up to thirty meters (98 feet) have been reported,[3] but these measurements have yet to be confirmed by a specific scientific study. Photos exist of M. ingens “trunks” up to 94 centimetres (37 in) in diameter at breast height. Its fruit, in a cluster weighing up to 60 kg (132 lbs). This cluster is borne on a peduncle up to 10 cm (4 in) thick and up to 15 m (49 ft) in length, again the longest of any known plant. The large inflorescence can hold over 300 oblong fruits to 18cm long that are filled with blackish brown seeds and yellowish pulp that is edible, sweet and delicious when cooked and reminds of fine butternut squash mixed with a sweet banana with a dash of tangy lime and citrus added.

 

What are the biggest bananas in the world?

The largest species of banana plant is the giant highland banana (Musa ingens) native to the tropical montane forests of New Guinea. Its main “trunk” regularly reaches heights of 15 metres (49 feet) and its unfurled leaves as high as 20 metres (66 feet) off the ground.