Do all bananas grow on trees?
No. Actually all bananas are tree-like (arborescent) perennial herbs. They grow from a root structure that grows an above ground stem. Not only is the plant an herb, but the banana that we eat is not a fruit. It is actually a berry.
Are bananas truly good for you?
They certainly are. They are the only fruit that contains tryptophan plus vitamin B6. They work together to help your body produce seratonin which is the natural chemical that alleviates depression. It is the chemical used in prozac. They contain almost no fat or sodium or cholesterol, are high in Vitamin B6, fiber, and potassium as well as numerous other vitamins and minerals. The FDA believes that eating bananas can lower you risk of heart attack, stroke, and cancer.
What do you call a group of bananas?
A bunch of bananas is called a hand. One single banana is a finger.
Are bananas really slippery?
In 2001, there were 300 injuries involving bananas in Great Britain alone. Most of these were from slipping on banana peels.
Are bananas only grown in tropical areas?
Bananas are grown in Iceland in soil heated by geysers.
How many different kinds of banana are there?
There are about 1,000 types of banana but most do not taste good. Due to a fungus called Fusarium wilt that attacks bananas, the type of banana that we used to eat is gone. We now eat Cavendish bananas. Experts believe that these may succumb to the fungus and be wiped out in about 20 years.
What other parts of the banana plant are edible?
Pretty much the whole plant is used for food. The leaves are used to wrap foods to be steamed. Even the flowers taste good.
How long do banana plants live?
Some continue to produce bananas for a hundred years, but most banana plantations replace them after 20 or 30 years.