Musa Ele Ele

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Contents

Cultivar Name

Musa 'Ele Ele'

Synonyms

Hawaiian Black

Poni

Hinu-pua'a


Pictures

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(credit MediaHound)

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(credit MediaHound)

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(credit Greenie)

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(credit the flying dutchman)

Description

The 'Ele Ele' is also known as the 'Hawaiian Black' banana. The plant grows quite tall up to 16-18 feet. The stem is sturdy and the overall appearance of the plant is that the entire pseudostem is dark brown or black. The leaves are green. The fruit is between a plantain and a banana and the flavor is delicious. This plant is a vigorous grower and stands up well to wind. It grows on all the Hawaiian islands. Also called Hinu-pua'a because the trunk looks as if it has been polished with pigs grease. Hawaiians value this banana not for it's fruit that is edible when cooked but for the black skin of the stalk(iliha) wich is used to be employed in plaiting ornamental borders on mats and since missionary times has been used in the same way in plaiting hat braids. It is said that when this banana is planted near the sea it loses his blackness. In Puna, Ele Ele is planted on the lowlands. To preserve it's blackness, Puna planters always plant Ele Ele on a dark moonless night. This variety is sometimes called 'poni' which means purple. Stripes of the black skin were also woven into lahuala mats. Of the Maoli group it is also related to the Tahitian (Ere'ere)

  • Genetic Group - AAB

Origin

Hawai

  • Date realized in trade -

Usage

Desert banana

Flowering

  • Time To Bloom -
  • Time To Harvest -

Cultivation

  • Mature Height -

16-18 feet

  • Survival Zone -

9-10

  • Fruiting Zone -
  • Cold Hardiness -
  • Wind -

Wind resistant

  • Sun -
  • Taste Description -
  • Personal Notes -
  • Growth tips -

Known Afflictions

  • Pests -
  • Susceptible Diseases -
  • Resistant Diseases -

Research Notes

  • Links to useful discussion threads in the forum:
  • Typical Price Range -

Members Growing This Banana

External

  • Sources