Musa × paradisiaca

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Zingiberales Family: Musaceae Genus: Musa

banana, mai‘a, maia

img

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Extremely polymorphic herbs 2–10 m tall, sap clear.

Stems: Pseudostems variously colored, 1–6 m long, 15–40 cm in diameter at base.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades 100–400 cm long, 30–80 cm wide. Base with a course basal sheath, sheathing bases closely overlapping and appressed to each other, forming an erect, herbaceous pseudostem from which the petioles depart at the summit (Pseudo)petioles 30–100 cm long. Surfaces glaucous. Margins entire. Veins parallel. Petiolate. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences divergent to pendent, fruiting axis curved, 80–250 cm long, 4–8 cm in diameter. Flowers irregular, functionally unisexual, those subtended by the lower bracts pistillate, those subtended by the upper bracts staminate. Pistillate flowers few to ca. 20, 5–9 cm long, inflated, producing thick, jelly-like nectar. Staminate flowers numerous, 3-6 cm long, narrow, compactly arranged beneath leathery, red to purple bracts. Tepals 6, in 2 series, petaloid, upper 5 connate into a tubular structure, adaxial tepal distinct. Staminate flowers numerous, 3–6 cm long, narrow, compactly arranged beneath leathery, red to purple bracts. Stamens 5 with 1 reduced staminode; filaments slender, distinct; anthers linear, dithecal. Ovary inferior (pistillate flowers), 3-celled.

Fruit: Fruit variable in size; shape; and color; elongate–cylindrical; straight to strongly curved; 3–40 cm long; 2–8 cm in diameter; apex tapered; rounded or blunt; skin thin and tender to tough and leathery; yellow; green; or red; flesh starchy to sweet; white; yellowish; or orange. Seeds typically absent or vestigial.

Ploidy: 2n = 10–14 (irregular); 16; 22–24; 32–35; 44; 48; 55; 77; 88

Habitat: Persisting after cultivation and sparingly naturalized by vegetative reproduction in mesic to wet valleys and wet forest.

Elevation Range: 0–920 m.

Historical Distribution

Synonyms (151)

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Dye made from sap

  • Nearly 20 varieties exist today falling into three major groups: maoli, popo'ulu and iholena. Mai‘a were not cultivated on a large scale. They were offered in the heiau and other houses of the gods. Three specific varieties were available for women to eat (popo'ulu, iholena and kaualau), the rest were forbidden (kapu). Certain varieties (polapola) steamed in an imu and pounded to make a type of poi. Used on hula altars (kuahu), the stalk symbolized a man. Stalks used to line the imu, as canoe rollers or used as a poultice. Fibers of leaves used in lei making. Sap used as a dye, and nectar from flowers used to feed babies. Understood as a kinolau or bodyform of the god Kanaloa, thus a set of kapu surrounded mai'a plants (see Abbott 1992:37–39, Handy et al. 1972:155–167). Leaf sheath beaten for kapa or used for sandals but both of poor quality (Lucas 1982: 18).

  • There are numerous varieties of mai‘a (banana, Musa spp.) that have medicinal uses. These include the use of dried leaves, which are burnt and eaten with poi for intense heart burn. Also, this and hou nui o ke kino (profuse sweating) are treated with palaholo mai‘a, hau ke‘ake‘a bark, Palolo and ‘alaea clays, kōkea, kikawaioa leaf shoots (Christella cyatheoidea); this medicine is used in conjunction with ko‘oko‘olau and moa nahele tea. Forms of ‘ea, pa‘ao‘ao, pala, and ‘ukihi are treated with a medicine made of the sap of the flowers and pohuli (root sucker), mixed with sap from green kukui fruits (Aleurites moluccana) and he‘i (papaya, Carica papaya). Another variety of mai‘a is used to treat ‘ea and pa‘ao‘ao, this medicine uses the immature flowers and sheath, with ‘alaea clay, ‘ana (sponge, Leiodermatium spp.), and green kukui fruit. For treatment of lepo pa‘a (constipation), the fruit is combined with the fruits, flowers and flower leaf buds of kukui, the sap of hau ke‘ake‘a (Hibiscus tiliaceus), and ‘ohi‘a ‘ai bark (Syzygium malaccense), and kōkea (white sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum). This is cooked, strained, and drunk in conjunction with ko‘oko‘olau tea (Bidens spp.) and broiled koali leaf buds (Ipomoea spp.). For some types of kohepopo, ripe buds are combined with ‘uala huamoa (sweet potato variety, Ipomoea batatas), noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia), niu (coconut, Cocos nucifera), ko, and ‘alaea clay. Koali and ko‘oko‘olau tea with moa (Psilotum nudum) follow the treatment. Another variation for the treatment of kohepopo uses the sucker roots of the mai‘a with the bark of ‘uhaloa roots (Waltheria indica), ‘ohi‘a ‘ai and kukui bark, kohekohe (Eleocharis spp.), pōpolo (Solanum americanum), and kōkea. For bruises linked to ancestors, immature flowers are mixed with pōpolo, squid ink sack, and ‘alaea clay; again followed with koali and ko‘oko‘olau tea with moa. For anal itching associated with pinworms mai‘a fruit, koali vines, ‘uala mohihi, noni fruit, hau ke‘ake‘a and ‘ōhi‘a ‘ai bark, and ‘alaea clay and combined, strained and drunk. For forms of nae (shortness of breath) dried leaf ash and sap are used in conjunction with ‘ihi makole buds (Oxalis spp.), noni fruit, ‘ōhi‘a ‘ai bark, kukui endosperm and flowers, niu fruit, ‘ala‘alawainui pehu stems (Peperomia spp.), ‘alaea clay, and kōkea.The medicine is taken is combination with lu‘au, poi, and fish and a purgative tea of ko‘oko‘olau and moa nahele (Chun 1994:200–210).

CULTURE

  • Planted by Kane and Kanaloa (Abbott 1992:37). [I] "Legend of the Mu People" [II] Mu are the banana-eating people of Kuaihelani [III] Paao brings the Manahunenukumuaimaia, big mouthed Menehune banana eaters to Hawaii [IV] Muaimaia aborigines of Kauai that lived in Laau and believed to haunt area (Beckwith 1940:326). "No ka ea Maia a Kahuoi- The Banana Field of Kahuoi" (Fornander [v.5 part iii] 1919:600). "Legend of Hoamakeikekula". Hoamakeikekula's skin compared to that of the young banana shoot which is the ideal flesh condition to the Hawaiian mind, being smooth and firm (Fornander [v.4 part iii] 1917:532).

  • Kinolau of Kanaloa

Natural History

Statewide Status

Only found in cultivation

Island Status

Kaua'i Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Only found in cultivation
Molokai Only found in cultivation
Lana'i Unknown
Maui Only found in cultivation
Hawai'i Only found in cultivation

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Specimens

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 1043 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1465 (K, O, Mo, L, M, H [plants sterile triploids, widely planted across landscape and reproducing vegetatively]) Staples & Herbst 2005:707 (KEY [as Musa acuminata × M. balbisiana]), 708 (DESCR)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Musa × paradisiaca Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. Oahu HAPI 11/1/1982
2 Musa × paradisiaca along Wailuku River PRESERVED_SPECIMEN MacDaniels, L.H. s.n. Maui BISH 11/1/1926
3 Musa × paradisiaca Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 9/8/2019
4 Musa × paradisiaca Manoa HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Oahu 12/18/2014
5 Musa × paradisiaca - PRESERVED_SPECIMEN O. Degener 35078 Oahu HAPI 5/1/1986
6 Musa × paradisiaca oahu, degener mukuleio garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. s.n. HO 8/9/1982
7 Musa × paradisiaca Wai????????anapanapa State Park, Maui, Hawaii MATERIAL_SAMPLE Megan Bargerhuff Oahu HAPI 9/10/2013
8 Musa × paradisiaca O????ahu, East Honolulu, HI, US PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. | Degener, I. 35078a Oahu HAPI 8/1/1982
9 Musa × paradisiaca Degener Mokuleia garden, Oahu. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN O Degener|I Degener Oahu HAPI 11/1/1980
10 Musa × paradisiaca Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Jones, S. 1258 Oahu BISH 9/1/1925
11 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaola, oahu. gulch at 2,900 ft. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & d. caindec 20,892 A 6/11/1950
12 Musa × paradisiaca oahu, degener mokuleia garden cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o.; degener, i. 35078b CM
13 Musa × paradisiaca degener garden, mokuleia, oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener; isa degener 35078 IND 11/8/1980
14 Musa × paradisiaca PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o.|degener, i. MNHN 11/1/1982
15 Musa × paradisiaca PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. MNHN 11/1/1982
16 Musa × paradisiaca degener mokuleia garden, oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener | isa degener 35,078a O 8/30/1982
17 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaala, oahu Gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener 20892 NY 6/11/1950
18 Musa × paradisiaca Waiahole moist valley; grows up to nearly 3000 ft PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stokes, J.F.G. 1264 Oahu BISH 7/27/1923
19 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & d. caindec 20.892 WIS 6/11/1950
20 Musa × paradisiaca Kalaupapa; Bayview maintained PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wysong, M.L. 789 Molokai BISH 8/15/2005
21 Musa × paradisiaca Central haleauau gulch, south of kaala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.; Caindec, D. 20.892 Oahu US 6/11/1950
22 Musa × paradisiaca Degener Mokuleia garden, Oahu. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. | Degener, I. 35078a AVH 8/1/1982
23 Musa × paradisiaca Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. Oahu HAPI 11/1/1982
24 Musa × paradisiaca along Wailuku River PRESERVED_SPECIMEN MacDaniels, L.H. s.n. Maui BISH 11/1/1926
25 Musa × paradisiaca Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 9/8/2019
26 Musa × paradisiaca Manoa HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Oahu 12/18/2014
27 Musa × paradisiaca - PRESERVED_SPECIMEN O. Degener 35078 Oahu HAPI 5/1/1986
28 Musa × paradisiaca oahu, degener mukuleio garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. s.n. HO 8/9/1982
29 Musa × paradisiaca Wai????????anapanapa State Park, Maui, Hawaii MATERIAL_SAMPLE Megan Bargerhuff Oahu HAPI 9/10/2013
30 Musa × paradisiaca O????ahu, East Honolulu, HI, US PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. | Degener, I. 35078a Oahu HAPI 8/1/1982
31 Musa × paradisiaca Degener Mokuleia garden, Oahu. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN O Degener|I Degener Oahu HAPI 11/1/1980
32 Musa × paradisiaca Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Jones, S. 1258 Oahu BISH 9/1/1925
33 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaola, oahu. gulch at 2,900 ft. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & d. caindec 20,892 A 6/11/1950
34 Musa × paradisiaca oahu, degener mokuleia garden cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o.; degener, i. 35078b CM
35 Musa × paradisiaca degener garden, mokuleia, oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener; isa degener 35078 IND 11/8/1980
36 Musa × paradisiaca PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o.|degener, i. MNHN 11/1/1982
37 Musa × paradisiaca PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. MNHN 11/1/1982
38 Musa × paradisiaca degener mokuleia garden, oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener | isa degener 35,078a O 8/30/1982
39 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaala, oahu Gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener 20892 NY 6/11/1950
40 Musa × paradisiaca Waiahole moist valley; grows up to nearly 3000 ft PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stokes, J.F.G. 1264 Oahu BISH 7/27/1923
41 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & d. caindec 20.892 WIS 6/11/1950
42 Musa × paradisiaca Kalaupapa; Bayview maintained PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wysong, M.L. 789 Molokai BISH 8/15/2005
43 Musa × paradisiaca Central haleauau gulch, south of kaala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.; Caindec, D. 20.892 Oahu US 6/11/1950
44 Musa × paradisiaca Degener Mokuleia garden, Oahu. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. | Degener, I. 35078a AVH 8/1/1982
45 Musa × paradisiaca Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. Oahu HAPI 11/1/1982
46 Musa × paradisiaca along Wailuku River PRESERVED_SPECIMEN MacDaniels, L.H. s.n. Maui BISH 11/1/1926
47 Musa × paradisiaca Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 9/8/2019
48 Musa × paradisiaca Manoa HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Oahu 12/18/2014
49 Musa × paradisiaca - PRESERVED_SPECIMEN O. Degener 35078 Oahu HAPI 5/1/1986
50 Musa × paradisiaca oahu, degener mukuleio garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. s.n. HO 8/9/1982
51 Musa × paradisiaca Wai????????anapanapa State Park, Maui, Hawaii MATERIAL_SAMPLE Megan Bargerhuff Oahu HAPI 9/10/2013
52 Musa × paradisiaca O????ahu, East Honolulu, HI, US PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. | Degener, I. 35078a Oahu HAPI 8/1/1982
53 Musa × paradisiaca Degener Mokuleia garden, Oahu. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN O Degener|I Degener Oahu HAPI 11/1/1980
54 Musa × paradisiaca Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Jones, S. 1258 Oahu BISH 9/1/1925
55 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaola, oahu. gulch at 2,900 ft. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & d. caindec 20,892 A 6/11/1950
56 Musa × paradisiaca oahu, degener mokuleia garden cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o.; degener, i. 35078b CM
57 Musa × paradisiaca degener garden, mokuleia, oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener; isa degener 35078 IND 11/8/1980
58 Musa × paradisiaca PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o.|degener, i. MNHN 11/1/1982
59 Musa × paradisiaca PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. MNHN 11/1/1982
60 Musa × paradisiaca degener mokuleia garden, oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener | isa degener 35,078a O 8/30/1982
61 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaala, oahu Gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener 20892 NY 6/11/1950
62 Musa × paradisiaca Waiahole moist valley; grows up to nearly 3000 ft PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stokes, J.F.G. 1264 Oahu BISH 7/27/1923
63 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & d. caindec 20.892 WIS 6/11/1950
64 Musa × paradisiaca Kalaupapa; Bayview maintained PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wysong, M.L. 789 Molokai BISH 8/15/2005
65 Musa × paradisiaca Central haleauau gulch, south of kaala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.; Caindec, D. 20.892 Oahu US 6/11/1950
66 Musa × paradisiaca Degener Mokuleia garden, Oahu. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. | Degener, I. 35078a AVH 8/1/1982
67 Musa × paradisiaca Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. Oahu HAPI 11/1/1982
68 Musa × paradisiaca along Wailuku River PRESERVED_SPECIMEN MacDaniels, L.H. s.n. Maui BISH 11/1/1926
69 Musa × paradisiaca Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 9/8/2019
70 Musa × paradisiaca Manoa HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Oahu 12/18/2014
71 Musa × paradisiaca - PRESERVED_SPECIMEN O. Degener 35078 Oahu HAPI 5/1/1986
72 Musa × paradisiaca oahu, degener mukuleio garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. s.n. HO 8/9/1982
73 Musa × paradisiaca Wai????????anapanapa State Park, Maui, Hawaii MATERIAL_SAMPLE Megan Bargerhuff Oahu HAPI 9/10/2013
74 Musa × paradisiaca O????ahu, East Honolulu, HI, US PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. | Degener, I. 35078a Oahu HAPI 8/1/1982
75 Musa × paradisiaca Degener Mokuleia garden, Oahu. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN O Degener|I Degener Oahu HAPI 11/1/1980
76 Musa × paradisiaca Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Jones, S. 1258 Oahu BISH 9/1/1925
77 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaola, oahu. gulch at 2,900 ft. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & d. caindec 20,892 A 6/11/1950
78 Musa × paradisiaca oahu, degener mokuleia garden cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o.; degener, i. 35078b CM
79 Musa × paradisiaca degener garden, mokuleia, oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener; isa degener 35078 IND 11/8/1980
80 Musa × paradisiaca PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o.|degener, i. MNHN 11/1/1982
81 Musa × paradisiaca PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. MNHN 11/1/1982
82 Musa × paradisiaca degener mokuleia garden, oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener | isa degener 35,078a O 8/30/1982
83 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaala, oahu Gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener 20892 NY 6/11/1950
84 Musa × paradisiaca Waiahole moist valley; grows up to nearly 3000 ft PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stokes, J.F.G. 1264 Oahu BISH 7/27/1923
85 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & d. caindec 20.892 WIS 6/11/1950
86 Musa × paradisiaca Kalaupapa; Bayview maintained PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wysong, M.L. 789 Molokai BISH 8/15/2005
87 Musa × paradisiaca Central haleauau gulch, south of kaala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.; Caindec, D. 20.892 Oahu US 6/11/1950
88 Musa × paradisiaca Degener Mokuleia garden, Oahu. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. | Degener, I. 35078a AVH 8/1/1982
89 Musa × paradisiaca Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. Oahu HAPI 11/1/1982
90 Musa × paradisiaca along Wailuku River PRESERVED_SPECIMEN MacDaniels, L.H. s.n. Maui BISH 11/1/1926
91 Musa × paradisiaca Hilo HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 9/8/2019
92 Musa × paradisiaca Manoa HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Oahu 12/18/2014
93 Musa × paradisiaca - PRESERVED_SPECIMEN O. Degener 35078 Oahu HAPI 5/1/1986
94 Musa × paradisiaca oahu, degener mukuleio garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. s.n. HO 8/9/1982
95 Musa × paradisiaca Wai????????anapanapa State Park, Maui, Hawaii MATERIAL_SAMPLE Megan Bargerhuff Oahu HAPI 9/10/2013
96 Musa × paradisiaca O????ahu, East Honolulu, HI, US PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. | Degener, I. 35078a Oahu HAPI 8/1/1982
97 Musa × paradisiaca Degener Mokuleia garden, Oahu. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN O Degener|I Degener Oahu HAPI 11/1/1980
98 Musa × paradisiaca Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Jones, S. 1258 Oahu BISH 9/1/1925
99 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaola, oahu. gulch at 2,900 ft. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & d. caindec 20,892 A 6/11/1950
100 Musa × paradisiaca oahu, degener mokuleia garden cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o.; degener, i. 35078b CM
101 Musa × paradisiaca degener garden, mokuleia, oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener; isa degener 35078 IND 11/8/1980
102 Musa × paradisiaca PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o.|degener, i. MNHN 11/1/1982
103 Musa × paradisiaca PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.|Degener, I. MNHN 11/1/1982
104 Musa × paradisiaca degener mokuleia garden, oahu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener | isa degener 35,078a O 8/30/1982
105 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaala, oahu Gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener 20892 NY 6/11/1950
106 Musa × paradisiaca Waiahole moist valley; grows up to nearly 3000 ft PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stokes, J.F.G. 1264 Oahu BISH 7/27/1923
107 Musa × paradisiaca central haleauau gulch, south of kaala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & d. caindec 20.892 WIS 6/11/1950
108 Musa × paradisiaca Kalaupapa; Bayview maintained PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wysong, M.L. 789 Molokai BISH 8/15/2005
109 Musa × paradisiaca Central haleauau gulch, south of kaala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.; Caindec, D. 20.892 Oahu US 6/11/1950
110 Musa × paradisiaca Degener Mokuleia garden, Oahu. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. | Degener, I. 35078a AVH 8/1/1982