Date:
13 September 2013
Common names: Banana
SiSwati name: Bhanana
Scientific name: Musa acuminata
Family: Musaceae
Distribution: Canary Islands, Malaysia, inland Indochina, East Africa, and South Africa
Habitat: This is a pioneer species, so any habitat that was recently disturbed (especially by wildfires) in wet, tropical climates
Flowering season: Summer (October - February)
Flowers: Large, showy purple flowers. The flowers appear when the fruit is green and not ripe. When the fruit has ripened, the flowers will fall off
Pollinators: Wind, insects, and bats
Fruit: Bananas (just like the ones at the grocery store)
Leaves: Evergreen leaves grow up to 3m long
Stem: This is an herbaceous plant that is considered to have a pseudostem. Leaf sheaths overlap at the base to form the pseudostem.
Defense: The pseudostem is strong, which contributes to wind and frost resistance
Swazi medicinal uses: Bananas play a big role in the Swazi diet. Swazis insist on eating at least one type of meat at every meal, which they balance with a maize-based porridge. Seriously, I have been fed chicken and beef for breakfast; and chicken, beef, and goat for lunch; and beef, goat, and impala for dinner. As a consequence, malnutrition is common, and is seen most commonly in the forms of obesity and kwashiorkor. Bananas are a fruit that Swazis grow easily and eat frequently if encouraged, and as such play a critical role in nutrition.
Swazi cultural significance: Swazis burn fields right before plowing season starts, which creates a perfect growth setting for banana. Other than that, there is not a big cultural significance.
Photo information: I took these photos at a homestead close to mine in my village, which is on the border of Swaziland and Mozambique, near Siteki.
Source:
Common names: Banana
SiSwati name: Bhanana
Scientific name: Musa acuminata
Family: Musaceae
Distribution: Canary Islands, Malaysia, inland Indochina, East Africa, and South Africa
Habitat: This is a pioneer species, so any habitat that was recently disturbed (especially by wildfires) in wet, tropical climates
Flowering season: Summer (October - February)
Flowers: Large, showy purple flowers. The flowers appear when the fruit is green and not ripe. When the fruit has ripened, the flowers will fall off
Pollinators: Wind, insects, and bats
Fruit: Bananas (just like the ones at the grocery store)
Leaves: Evergreen leaves grow up to 3m long
Stem: This is an herbaceous plant that is considered to have a pseudostem. Leaf sheaths overlap at the base to form the pseudostem.
Defense: The pseudostem is strong, which contributes to wind and frost resistance
Swazi medicinal uses: Bananas play a big role in the Swazi diet. Swazis insist on eating at least one type of meat at every meal, which they balance with a maize-based porridge. Seriously, I have been fed chicken and beef for breakfast; and chicken, beef, and goat for lunch; and beef, goat, and impala for dinner. As a consequence, malnutrition is common, and is seen most commonly in the forms of obesity and kwashiorkor. Bananas are a fruit that Swazis grow easily and eat frequently if encouraged, and as such play a critical role in nutrition.
Swazi cultural significance: Swazis burn fields right before plowing season starts, which creates a perfect growth setting for banana. Other than that, there is not a big cultural significance.
Photo information: I took these photos at a homestead close to mine in my village, which is on the border of Swaziland and Mozambique, near Siteki.
Source:
www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/banana.html
http://www.edenproject.com/visit-us/whats-here/plant-a-z/wild-banana
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/a529/musa-acuminata.aspx
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