BANANA
- A name applied to certain species of Musa,
particularly to those that produce edible fruits, although it
is sometimes used for species grown for ornament.
- The banana plant is a great perennial herb. It grows 10 to
even 30 ft tall.
- There is little commercial cultivation of bananas in the
United States, since the frostless zone is narrow and the fruit
can be grown so much more cheaply in Central America and the
West Indies. Small banana plantations are common in southern
Florida, however, and as far north as Jacksonville. They are
also grown in extreme southern Louisiana, and southward to the
Pacific coast.
- The plants will endure slight frost without injury. A frost
of 5 or 6 degrees F. will kill the leaves, but if the plants
are nearly full grown, new foliage may appear.
- Mostly in demand for commercial growing of its fruit. Some
use as ornamentals.