What is commonly referred to as a banana “tree” is botanically an herbaceous perennial, making it technically the world’s largest herb. This massive plant does not possess a true woody trunk but instead forms a dense, layered stalk called a pseudostem. The term “banana plant” encompasses a wide range of species and thousands of cultivated varieties belonging primarily to the family Musaceae. Identification moves from broad genus distinctions down to specific cultivar traits.
The First Step in Identification: Is It Musa or Ensete?
The most fundamental distinction in banana identification is determining whether your plant belongs to the genus Musa or the genus Ensete. These two genera look very similar but have profoundly different growth habits. The key difference lies in how the plant reproduces and how long its main stem survives.
Musa plants, often called “true bananas,” are polycarpic. The main underground structure, the rhizome, produces new offsets, known as suckers or “pups.” These suckers grow up around the base of the main pseudostem, forming a dense cluster or “mat” of plants. Although an individual Musa pseudostem dies after it fruits, the clump remains productive through its suckers, which replace the parent plant.
In contrast, plants in the genus Ensete, such as the Abyssinian Banana, are strictly monocarpic and do not produce suckers from the base. The Ensete plant grows as a single, solitary pseudostem that increases in girth and height over its lifespan. This single stem flowers and produces seed-filled fruit only once before the entire plant dies.
A simple inspection of the plant’s base reveals the genus: if smaller plants are emerging around the parent stem, it is a Musa. If the plant stands alone with a single, massive trunk-like stem, it is an Ensete. Ensete plants often grow much larger than most Musa species, sometimes reaching heights of twenty feet or more. Edible varieties are almost exclusively found within the Musa genus.
Visual Cues for Edible Versus Ornamental Types
Once the genus is established, visual cues help narrow the identification, distinguishing plants grown for fruit from those grown purely for appearance. A major indicator lies in the fruit itself: nearly all commercially edible bananas are seedless, a trait called parthenocarpy. Ornamental and wild banana types produce small fruit filled with large, hard, black seeds and very little edible pulp.
The pseudostem offers several important clues. Some cultivars exhibit a waxy, whitish coating on the pseudostem and leaves, known as glaucousness. The presence or absence of this dull, powdery layer helps separate certain varieties. Pseudostem color ranges from solid green to mottled with red, brown, or black markings, with some ornamental types displaying uniform red or black coloration.
Leaf appearance provides additional visual evidence. Many ornamental varieties are specifically bred for striking foliage patterns that edible types lack. For instance, the ‘Blood Banana’ (Musa zebrina) is recognized by its green leaves featuring prominent, dark burgundy or maroon blotches and stripes. In contrast, the leaves of most common edible cultivars are a uniform green. Leaf size and shape also vary, with some ornamental types having narrower, more upright leaves compared to the broad, paddle-shaped leaves typical of fruit-producing varieties.
Narrowing Down Your Specific Cultivar
The final step in identification involves matching a plant’s unique combination of traits to a specific, named cultivar. These cultivars are generally grouped by whether they are cultivated for their fruit or for their cold-hardiness and ornamental value. A significant portion of the world’s commercial fruit production comes from the Cavendish subgroup of Musa acuminata.
Edible Cultivars
Common edible types are distinguished by their size and fruit characteristics. The Cavendish and Dwarf Cavendish cultivars are the most widely traded bananas globally, known for their sweet flavor and ease of transport. The Dwarf Cavendish is a popular backyard choice because it fruits at a manageable height of six to eight feet.
The historic Gros Michel cultivar, which preceded the Cavendish in the global market, produces a large fruit with a thick peel and was celebrated for its rich flavor. Another unique edible type is the Blue Java, often called the ‘Ice Cream’ banana due to its custard-like texture and vanilla flavor. This cultivar is identified by its fruit, which has a distinct light, sky-blue color and a silvery-white glaucous coating when unripe. The plant is also known for its tolerance to cooler temperatures.
Ornamental and Cold-Hardy Cultivars
Ornamental and cold-hardy types are identified by their resilience and striking aesthetics.
- The Japanese Fiber Banana (Musa basjoo) is perhaps the most cold-tolerant banana, with its rhizome capable of surviving temperatures as low as -10°F with adequate winter protection. Its fruit is small, green, and filled with large seeds, rendering it inedible.
- The Abyssinian Banana (Ensete ventricosum) is a favorite ornamental due to its massive, solitary form, often with a purplish or reddish hue on its pseudostem.
- The cultivar Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ is known for its dramatic, deep red and maroon coloring in the leaves.
- The Musa zebrina, or Blood Banana, is sought after for the red-mottled leaves. It produces small, seeded fruit, confirming its status as a plant grown for visual impact.