Physical characteristics of banana

The banana belongs to the botanical genus Musa. Bananas are the fruit of Musa acuminata. Acuminata means long-pointed or tapering, not referring to the fruit, but to the flowers giving birth to the fruit. Bananas are in the shape of a long curving cylinder.

It is against herb up to 10 m high. The leaves are very large succulent and tattered. Vegetative propagation of the plant is by suckers.

The bottom end narrows to a point and the top end has a thick stem that attaches the fruit to the inflorescence stalk. A small group of bananas is termed "hands". Hands are collectively known as "bunches".

Banana skin is smooth and thick, and often has a few vertical ridges that run the length of the fruit. The flesh is creamy white and soft.

The stem is harvested when the single bananas are mature but green. The tree is then cut down. Bananas are handled mainly as a fresh fruit and shipped from the growing area while still green.
Physical characteristics of banana