Tag: Musaceae family

Despite both being classified botanically as berries, bananas and avocados belong to entirely different plant families. While they are both staple fruits in many cuisines, their genetic lineage is not related at all, stemming from different botanical orders and evolutionary paths.

Though often mistaken for a large banana, plantains are botanically distinct and primarily cultivated for cooking. The classification of a plantain places it in the same genus as the common banana, *Musa*, but with different hybrid ancestry and culinary uses that set it apart. These starchy, tropical fruits are a staple food for millions worldwide.

Despite its towering, treelike appearance, a banana plant is technically a giant perennial herb, not a tree. For many, the most surprising fact about this plant is not its status as an herb, but rather the answer to the question: what is the classification of a banana?.