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Blue Java banana

life science Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The Blue Java banana is a very special fruit.

Ice Cream Banana (Blue Java)
Ice Cream Banana (Blue Java)

It is also known by many other names. People call it the Ice Cream banana or the Vanilla Banana. In Hawaii, it is often called the Ice Cream banana. In Fiji, people call it the Hawaiian banana. It has many names in other places too. It is called Krie in the Philippines. In Indonesia, the name is Kepok Awu. In Central America, it is called Cenizo. This fruit is famous for its sweet taste.

Starr-091112-9540
Starr-091112-9540

This plant is a hybrid. A hybrid is a plant made from two different kinds. The Blue Java comes from two species in Southeast Asia. These are Musa balbisiana and Musa acuminata. The scientific name is Musa acuminata × balbisiana. It belongs to the ABB Group. This means it is a triploid hybrid. The plant grows very strong. It has a strong root system. It also has a strong pseudostem. This helps the tree stand up to wind. The tree can even handle cold weather.

Ice Cream Banana (Blue Java)
Ice Cream Banana (Blue Java)

Watching a Blue Java tree grow is interesting. The leaves are a silvery green color. The fruit grows in small bunches. Each bunch has seven to nine hands. The fruit starts out a silvery green color. A heavy coat of wax makes it look silver. The fruit has bumps called knuckles. These look like the knuckles on a human hand. After 115 to 150 days, you can harvest them. The flowers bloom 15 to 24 months after planting. When they are ripe, they turn pale yellow.

Starr-091112-9540
Starr-091112-9540

The inside of the fruit is very special. It has white and creamy flesh. Many people say it tastes like vanilla custard. It has a texture like ice cream. Because of this, people call it the Ice Cream banana. You can eat these bananas fresh. You can also cook them. They are popular because they smell so good. Some people grow them as ornamental plants. They use them to provide shade. The blue color makes them look very unusual.

Ice Cream Banana (Blue Java)
Ice Cream Banana (Blue Java)

Even though these plants are hardy, they face some hard jobs. There are certain pests that can bother them. These include grasshoppers and borers. Root-knot nematodes can also be a problem. The trees can also get diseases. Two common diseases are Panama disease and Black sigatoka. Despite these issues, the Blue Java remains a popular plant. It is a unique part of the natural world. It shows how different plants can mix together.

Starr-091112-9540
Starr-091112-9540
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File:Ice Cream Banana (Blue Java).jpg
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File:Starr-091112-9540.jpg
Starr-091112-9540.jpg
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