Story time folks!
Pisang Raja Udang aka the Cuban Red is not a common 'naner in Malaysia though we have tons of 'naners growing just about everywhere.
The Malays love growing 'naners as it is in their culture since the ancient times and no self respecting Malay in any kampong (village) will be without a couple of them.
But....they don't grow or eat the Pisang Raja Udang....why?
Long, long ago before the time of the Malay Sultanate, there were frequent civil wars amongst the rulers of the various districts. In one of these battles, a Malay Prince was very badly wounded. He managed to escape from his enemies and ran into the jungle. However, his wounds got the better of him and he had to rest under a banana plant. Unable to take the pain and the loss of blood, he fainted.
When the Prince came to, he was surprised to find his wounds being treated by a pretty young lady. Thanking her for tending to him, he was able to go back to his palace.
There he was told that the young lady is actually the spirit of the banana plant. He then went back to that plant and found it bearing fruits which were maroon colored as though stained by his blood.
He was so grateful to the plant and the spirit that he decreed to all his subjects that they are never to eat the fruits of the this plant or are allowed to chop the plant down.
This belief/superstition has prevailed to this very day that the Malays do not eat the fruits of the Pisang Raja Udang.