Dwarf Cavendish banana

Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish'
Cavendish bananas are the most commonly sold bananas in the world market.
Details
Species	Musa acuminata
Cultivar group	AAA Group
Cultivar	'Dwarf Cavendish'
Origin	Vietnam, China, Canary Islands

Close up photo of a leaf from the Dwarf Cavendish.

The Dwarf Cavendish banana is a cultivar descended from the banana cultivar group of commercial produce, the Cavendish. They are often grown as houseplants and produce slightly smaller edible bananas than other Cavendish cultivars. The name 'Dwarf Cavendish' is in reference to the height of the pseudostem, not the fruit (which are medium sized).^[1] Young plants have maroon or purple blotches on their leaves but quickly lose them as they mature. It is one of the most commonly planted banana varieties from the Cavendish group, and the main source of commercial Cavendish bananas along with Grand Nain.^[2][3][4][5] Musa 'tropicana' and 'novak' are similar.

Its accepted name is Musa (AAA group) 'Dwarf Cavendish'. Synonyms include:

1. Musa acuminata L. A. Colla
2. Musa nana J. de Loureiro (name accepted at Mobot)
3. Musa nana auct. non J. de Loureiro
4. Musa chinensis R. Sweet
5. Musa sinensis P. A. Sagot ex J. G. Baker
6. Musa sinensis P. A. Sagot
7. Musa sinensis R. Sweet ex P. A. Sagot

Other common names include Klue Hom Kom, Pisang serendah, Chinese banana, and Canary banana.^[6]

Description

Dwarf Cavendish plants grow up to a height of only 6 – 8 ft (1.8 - 2.4 m).^{[citation needed]} The leaves are broad with short petioles. Its shortness makes it stable, wind-resistant, and easier to manage. This, in addition to its fast growth rate, makes it ideal for plantation cultivation.^[7] An easily recognizable characteristic of this cultivar is that the male bracts and flowers are not shed.

The fruits of the Cavendish bananas range from about 15 to 25 cm in length, and are thin skinned. Each plant can bear up to 90 fingers.^[8]

References

v t e Bananas and plantains Culinary usage Banana beer Banana bread Banana chips Banana cue Bananas Foster Banana fritter Banana ketchup Banana powder Banana pudding Banana sauce Banana split Banana wine Banania Bánh chuối Frozen banana Ginanggang Matoke Maruya Pisang goreng Tonto Turrón Related topics Banana paper Bananadine Banana and plantain diseases Banana lectin Banana equivalent dose Category: Bananas