Lady finger bananas (also known as sugar bananas, fig bananas, or date bananas) are diploidbananacultivars originating in MalaysiaorIndonesia, belonging to the Sucrier subgroup of the AA banana cultivar group. Lady finger bananas are the most widely cultivated AA cultivar and are one of the world’s most popular local bananas. Its fruits are finger-sized, sweet, and thin-skinned.
Lady Finger banana is a diploidcultivar of the wild banana Musa acuminata, belonging to the Sucrier subgroup of the AA banana cultivar group.[1][2][3][4][5] They were once placed under the Sucrier group in the old system of classification.[6] Besides, ‘Lady (‘s) Finger’ has been used to name several distinct AA, AB and AAB clones; such as 'Ney Poovan' in same name subgroup (AB genome), 'Pome', 'Pacovan' and 'Pacha Nadan' in 'Pome subgroup' (AAB genome).[7]
Its official designation is Musa (AA Group) 'Lady Finger'.[3]
Lady Finger banana is a diploidcultivar originating in Malaysia[1]orIndonesia.[2] It is the most widely cultivated AA cultivar and is one of the world’s most popular local bananas.[1] Lady Finger (AA), with much A in its genome, is notably difficult to grow and rarely survives with low moisture or humidity.[5]
Lady Finger bananas trees can grow at a height of 7.5 metres (25 ft). Its pseudostem is slender but it has a heavy root system that makes it resistant to wind damage. The outer sheaths are dark-brown or streaked with reddish brown. The leaves are yellowish green and nearly free of wax. It blooms during mid-summer, late summer, and early fall. Each bunch, usually 10.4 kg in weight,[2] typically having 10 to 14 hands. Each hands consists of 12 to 20 fruits. It is monocarpic and is propagated asexually.[6]
Its depends on soil and climate, the fruit is finger-sized, reaching 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12+1⁄2cm) in length, under perfect growing conditions.[1] The skin is thin and light yellow. The flesh is deliciously sweet.[6] Despite their resemblance, the Lady Finger banana must not be confused with the totally different cultivar Latundan banana which is a bit larger and has a sweet-sour taste.[8] ‘Apple’ or ‘Manzana’ banana cultivars is also very similar to ‘Lady Finger’ in all respects except that its fruit 's flavor has very much like fresh apple.[11]
Lady Finger bananas are eaten fresh or used in desserts. Its preferred for fragrant aroma, sweetness, nutritional value and esthetic value. They are known for being more superior than supermarket bananas.[11] In Indonesia, Lady Finger banana is often used as a decoration in traditional ceremonies.[12] Dwarf Lady Finger bananas, typically growing only up to 15 feet (4+1⁄2m) in height, are also cultivated as houseplants.
^ abcdNelson, S.C.; Ploetz, R.C. & Kepler, A.K. (August 2006), "Musa species (bananas and plantains)"(PDF), in Elevitch, C.R (ed.), Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry, vol. 2, Hōlualoa, Hawai'i: Permanent Agriculture Resources (PAR), pp. 5 &22, retrieved 2024-03-01{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
^Valmayor, Ramón V.; Jamaluddin, S.H.; Silayoi, B.; Kusumo, S.; Danh, L.D.; Pascua, O.C. & Espino, R.R.C. (2000), Banana cultivar names and synonyms in Southeast Asia(PDF), Los Baños, Philippines: International Network for Improvement of Banana and Plantain – Asia and the Pacific Office, pp. 8 & 15, ISBN971-91751-2-5, archived from the original(PDF) on 2013-05-30, retrieved 2024-03-01
