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STORIES

Dwarf Cavendish Banana (Fijian: Jaina leka)

Dwarf Cavendish Banana (Fijian: Jaina leka)

Musa acuminata ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ (Musaceae)

Characteristics

The cultivar “Dwarf Cavendish” is due to its shortness more stable, wind-resistant and easier to manage than other banana plants. This, in addition to its fast growth rate, makes it ideal for plantation cultivation. The fruits range from 15 to 25 cm in length and are thin skinned. Each plant can bear up to 90 fingers.

Distribution

Musa acuminata is native to Southeast Asia and first cultivated by humans around 10’000 years ago. The variety “Cavendish” was first cultivated in Europe in the 19th century and shipped to various places in the Pacific and the Canary Islands. In 1888, bananas from the Canary Islands were imported into England and are known to belong to the “Dwarf Cavendish” cultivar.

Natural Medical Properties

No known.

Did you know?

Banana plants are evergreen perennials, not trees! The trunk (known as the pseudostem) is made of tightly packed layers of leaf sheaths emerging from completely or partially buried corms.

The name “Dwarf Cavendish” is in reference to the height of the plant, not the fruit.

Botanically, bananas are berries.

Further reading:

Literature

World Flora Online
WorldChecklist of Selected Plant Families
A working list of all plant species

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