The typical representation of banana on a topographical map.

Banana

The typical representation of banana on a topographical map.

An illustration of a large banana plant. Banana is the common name for a fruit and also the herbaceous plants of the genus Musa which produce this commonly eaten fruit. They are native to the tropical region of Southeast Asia. Bananas are likely to have been first domesticated in Papua New Guinea. Today, they are cultivated throughout the tropics.

Banana Plant

An illustration of a large banana plant. Banana is the common name for a fruit and also the herbaceous…

Pictured is a banana plant bearing fruit. This particular plant is a bearing stalk as grown in southern California.

Bearing Banana Plant

Pictured is a banana plant bearing fruit. This particular plant is a bearing stalk as grown in southern…

Illustrated is a hand of the fig banana. The fig banana is a variety of plantain. It is commonly found in Trinidad.

Fig Banana

Illustrated is a hand of the fig banana. The fig banana is a variety of plantain. It is commonly found…

Illustrated in the tip of a flower cluster of banana. The cluster is similar to a giant, elongated bud with large, tightly overlapping scales or bracts.

Flower Cluster of Banana

Illustrated in the tip of a flower cluster of banana. The cluster is similar to a giant, elongated bud…

Musa cavendishii is a variety of banana tree. The leaves are oblong and deep green. The tree grows between five and six feet tall.

Musa Cavendishii

Musa cavendishii is a variety of banana tree. The leaves are oblong and deep green. The tree grows between…

Musa superba is a variety of the banana or plantain tree. This tree has a pseudo-stem swollen at the base. The tree grows fourteen feet tall.

Flowering Plant and Detached Flower of Musa Superba

Musa superba is a variety of the banana or plantain tree. This tree has a pseudo-stem swollen at the…

The plantain variety of banana is a popular cooking banana in the tropical regions of the Americas. Plantains are coarser and harder fruits than regular bananas.

Plantain Banana

The plantain variety of banana is a popular cooking banana in the tropical regions of the Americas.…