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zak
02-15-2009, 02:36 PM
I have been searching for more information about bananas, and i can't seem to find what i am looking for. I am curious about the giant species of banana that can grow real tall. I have looked many different types of species- not all are very clear on information I have been looking for. Could someone give a list of giant species of bananas that are actually by their right name, this is where it got confusing.

Gabe15
02-15-2009, 05:19 PM
Welcome to bananas.org!

These are among the largest wild banana species (larger than any cultivated varieties), however they are more or less not in cultivation and are difficult to obtain.

Musa ingens is the largest published species at around ~15m.

Musa itinerans var. xishuangbannaensis, ~12m.

Musa jackeyi (could be a form of M. maclayi), ~12m.

Musa boman, ~10m.

Musa maclayi (multiple varieties), ~10m.

Musa peekelii (multiple varieties), ~10m.

There are reports of larger plants still, but they are unverified and may be new species or varieties. I hope this helps, if you are looking for specific info on any of them just ask if you can't find it.

This link has the descriptions of many published banana species. Not all of the names on the list are valid, but all of the names listed above are valid and some info can be found on each of them in this link Musa home (http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drc/musa_home.htm#Species)

zak
02-15-2009, 08:44 PM
I am interested in Musa itinerans var. xishuangbannaensis, but i curious on how i could obtain some. I do find this species of banana very interesting.

lt_eggbeater
02-15-2009, 08:53 PM
I am interested in Musa itinerans var. xishuangbannaensis, but i curious on how i could obtain some. I do find this species of banana very interesting.

Some people are selling seeds of that species, but I dont know if they are genuine. Sabas are supposed to get close to that height although I have never seen one that tall.

Chironex
02-16-2009, 01:25 AM
I am interested in Musa itinerans var. xishuangbannaensis, but i curious on how i could obtain some. I do find this species of banana very interesting.

There are some around, but the true form is quite rare. If I ever get one for sure, i WILL be tissue culturing it. There are some people in Germany who, allegedly, have some growing. I am trying to get one, but so far no luck. I have one that is supposed to be var. xishuangbannaensis, but it remains to be determined whether or not it's the real McCoy.

If you do find someone selling it, please PM me with the info.