Description
The banana flower is a large, dark purple-red blossom that grows from the end of a bunch of bananas. Purple buds appear from the heart of the tip of the stem and develop into tubular, white flowers. The flavour is a little starchy and bitter, and is normally eaten as a complement to a dish.
Season
Year-round.
Where It Grows
Banana leaves evolve from banana plants which are originated from primarily the Indo-Malaysian region. Today, most bananas are grown in tropical regions like South America, Central America and the Caribbean, as well as the United States.
How it Grows
On a banana tree, you may see your first flower emerge after about six months, depending on the weather. As the purple flower petals curl back and drop off they reveal a “hand” of bananas under each. Each banana is a “finger”. You may get anything between four to a dozen or more full hands. The male fingers just dry and drop off. Only the stalk remains. If you let it grow it will eventually reach the ground.
Did You Know?
- Along with dietary fibers, proteins and unsaturated fatty acids, banana flowers are also rich in vitamin E and flavonoids.
- They possess immense medicinal value. However, there is no scientific information to determine the side effects and drug interactions of banana flower.
- Banana flower is also called ‘Banana Heart’.
- Banana plants are the largest plants on earth without a woody stem. They are actually giant herbs of the same family as lilies, orchids and palms.
- The word ‘banan’ is Arabic for finger.
Calories from Fat5.4
1%
0%
0%
0%
3%
56 mg
56.4 mg
1.07 mg
48.7 mg
73.3 mg
13 mg