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One shop word, more than one plantBanana is not a species.
Banana is a shop word for more than one Musa. Sweet dessert bananas are often Musa acuminata. Cooking plantains are Musa × paradisiaca, the hybrid with M. balbisiana. This page will not pick a winner.
Choose the botanical page
- Vazhai · Musa acuminata
Musa acuminata — sweet dessert banana, the species behind most Cavendish fruit.
- Cooking banana · Musa × paradisiaca
Musa × paradisiaca — cooking banana / plantain, the hybrid of Tamil nendran clumps.
This word names more than one plant, so check the botanical name before you buy or use it. If the plant you meant is not listed, we have not written it yet. Educational only. Not medical advice and not a shop.