Quote:
Originally Posted by BananaLee
Musella lasiocarpa is a relative of the banana, its in the same class of phylum, but it's not a true banana. Strelitzia is related to Musa, Heliconia is a relative, also ensete is not a true banana, but again a relative. Well that's all the time we have for today class! Just joking!
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To be more specific....as far as classifications go, the three most specific levels of classifying organisms (this system works as a hierarchy) are family, genus and species (in order from less to most specific). The family banana plants belong to is called Musaceae. This encompasses Musa, Ensete and Musella. These three categories are 'genus' levels of the classification system. Beyond this, Musa/Ensete/Musella are further broken down by species. Depending on who you talk to, some people consider all Musaceae organisms bananas, but others more specifically say only musas are true bananas. Ensetes are often considered 'false' bananas for this reason. So in a technical sense, Musella lasiocarpa is very closely related (in the same family) to Musas, but depending on your definition of what are true/not true bananas, it may differ. Some sources refer to Musaceae as the 'banana family' which would make Musella a type of banana, but other sources say musa is the 'banana genus' making Musas the 'true' bananas. The term 'banana' is thrown around quite a bit, to be entirely honest (much like the term 'elephant ear). It really doesn't matter all that much unless you're a very serious botanical taxonomist. But I hope the further clarification of the classification system is helpful.