No, contrary to everyone’s belief, bananas do not grow on trees. Bananas are herb-like flowers and they do not grow on trees.
To be more specific, the correct term to be used would be “banana plants”, not “banana trees”. Banana plants do not have trunks like other trees. Their “trunks” are layers of stems that are called pseudostems.
There is a lot more science behind bananas and whether they grow on trees or whether they are berries or fruits.
We are aware of the awesome health benefits of bananas. They are notable for their abundant nutrients. Not only bananas but the plants’ stems also have immense medicinal benefits.
Read more to know everything about bananas and how they grow.
Do bananas grow on trees or plants?
Bananas do not grow on trees. However, banana trees are, in fact, called plants. They are the largest plants in the entire world.
But do we know what makes banana trees a plant? Take a close look at the trunk. Not just a peek but a perfect look from up close.
You will notice that the trunk of banana trees is not the usual trunk made from wood. They are made from layers and layers of banana leaves.
The leaves that we see in the trunks are the lower ends of banana trees and they are layered like circles. The appropriate name for it is pseudostems.
Pseudostems are tightly packed leaves that form the stem or “trunk” as you would call it. They are layered thoroughly and from a strong stem and hold the entire plant together.
The pseudostems are what makes bananas plants, not trees.
Are bananas trees or herbs?
A little unknown fact. Banana trees are technically herbs and are remotely related to gingers. You could call them distant cousins.
Perplexed over how and why bananas are herbs and how they are related to gingers? Well, read on.
We think that only botanical plants such as rosemary or basil are herbs. But ting!! This is not entirely correct.
In botanical terms, bananas are herbs because, unlike the rest of the trees, it does not form a normal trunk out of wood. It does not have a woody stem. Its stem is called a pseudostem.
The pseudostem stems from the roots. As the pseudostem grows, the leaves unfold and begin to spread out. As time goes on, corn shoots out from the base of the pseudostem. The corn later goes from becoming a flower, then a fruit, and then dying and again resurrecting.
Due to this process, bananas have been termed as herbs. In fact, Ayurveda considers bananas to have a wide range of medicinal benefits against certain conditions. Did you know that the juice of banana stems helps flush out kidney stones? Even the syrup made from banana stems helps relieve cough.
The secrets that banana trees hold are immense. Every day, scientists are discovering new information about bananas. You will be flabbergasted by their amazing health benefits.
Are bananas berries or fruits?
A piece of lowkey information but bananas are actually berries, not fruits. Yes, it is really the truth that bananas are berries, not fruits. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Technically, bananas are botanical berries. But do you know they are specifically called “botanical berries”?
In order to pass as a berry, the fruit has to develop from a single ovary. It has to have a single exocarp (the skin of the fruit) and a fleshy mesocarp (the flesh of the fruit). Its endocarp (the inner part of the fruit that encloses the seed) should be soft enough to chew and may contain one or more seeds.
And bananas have exactly all of them to pass as berries. It forms from a flower containing a single ovary. It has a soft, luscious flesh. And it even has seeds that are enclosed by the flesh; the seeds are so tiny that you do not even feel them while chewing.
So, yes, bananas are berries as they have all the requirements to pass as berries, botanical berries to be more specific.
Where do bananas come from?
The origins of bananas can be traced to Southeast Asia. Although it grows in almost every part of the world, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are known to nurture varieties of wild bananas. Bananas are mostly grown in tropical regions of Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Approximately, a whopping 105 million tones of banana is produced in more than 150 countries. You may be astonished but there are more than 1000 different varieties of bananas that grow all over the world.
Some bananas have really big seeds, while others have teeny-tiny ones. Some have a sweet flavor with a sandy texture while others have a hard, stiff texture with a sour taste.
This yellow superfood has tremendous health benefits. It aids in weight loss, it is full of antioxidants, and most importantly, it is abundant in nutrients.
Even the banana tree stem is a great aid against various health issues. It is rich in potassium and vitamin B6, which assist in the production of hemoglobin and insulin.
Bananas are packed with surprising nutrients. And they fail to amaze anyone with their benefits. No wonder they have an export value of $13.6 billion.
Do bananas grow on palm trees?
No, bananas do not grow on palm trees. It is a common mistake to think that bananas grow on palm trees as palm trees and banana plants have similar appearances.
Both banana plants and palm trees have emerald-green leaves. They thrive in tropical climates and are great additions to our visuals.
Banana plants produce a single type of fruit while palm trees produce various fruits such as dates and coconuts.
As for their growth, banana plants grow quickly, and some even reach up to 3 feet weekly. But palm trees take their time and grow slowly over the course of a few years.
Palm trees and banana plants may have their differences but they also do share a few similarities. They thrive in tropical temperatures and need sunlight and warm temperature regularly. One of their most notable features, the large, fan-shaped leaves is the reason why banana plants and palm trees are often confused.
Although they share similar appearances, a close look can help anyone differentiate easily.
Do bananas grow on coconut trees?
No, bananas do not grow on coconut trees. They are entirely two different species.
Our friendly favorite bananas are large botanical herbs. Coconuts, on the other hand, belong to the palm family.
Bananas grow in subtropical climates, tropical regions, or tropical rainforests. But coconuts are seen on beaches or in humid climates.
FAQs
Can bananas grow on trees?
No, bananas do not grow on trees. They grow on plants.
How long are banana plants?
A mature banana plant can grow 10 feet tall or more.
Conclusion
Drill this in your head: the correct term is “banana plants”, not “banana trees” and they do not grow on trees. The next time anyone challenges you to a quiz about bananas, soar in that confidence and answer all the questions, knowing that all your answers are right.
