Lady Finger banana

Lady finger bananas (also known as sugar bananas, fig bananas, or date bananas) are diploid banana cultivars originating in Malaysia or Indonesia, belonging to the Sucrier subgroup of the AA banana cultivar group. Lady finger bananas are the most widely cultivated AA cultivar and are one of the world’s most popular local bananas. Its fruits are finger-sized, sweet, and thin-skinned.

Taxonomy
Lady Finger banana is a diploid cultivar of the wild banana Musa acuminata, belonging to the Sucrier subgroup of the AA banana cultivar group. They were once placed under the Sucrier group in the old system of classification. Besides, ‘Lady (‘s) Finger’ has been used to name several distinct AA, AB and AAB clones; such as 'Ney Poovan' in same name subgroup (AB genome), 'Pome', 'Pacovan' and 'Pacha Nadan' in 'Pome subgroup' (AAB genome).

Its official designation is Musa (AA Group) 'Lady Finger'.

Synonyms include:


 * Musa acuminata Colla (AA Group) 'Lady's Finger'
 * Musa acuminata Colla (AA Group) 'Sucrier'
 * Musa acuminata Colla (Sucrier Group) 'Lady's Finger'
 * Musa × paradisiaca L. 'Lady Finger'
 * Musa × paradisiaca L. cultigroup Sucrier 'Doigt de Femme'
 * Musa × paradisiaca L. cultigroup Saccharinus 'Lady's Finger'
 * Musa × paradisiaca L. cultigroup Saccharinus 'Dedo de Dama'
 * Musa acuminata Colla non L. (Sucrier Group) 'Datil'
 * Musa acuminata Colla non L. (Sucrier Group) 'Niño'
 * Musa acuminata Colla non L. (Sucrier Group) 'Bocadillo'

Common names
Musa (AA Group) 'Lady Finger' has many common names in other languages. Following are:

Origin and habitat
Lady Finger banana is a diploid cultivar originating in Malaysia or Indonesia. It is the most widely cultivated AA cultivar and is one of the world’s most popular local bananas. Lady Finger (AA), with much A in its genome, is notably difficult to grow and rarely survives with low moisture or humidity.

Description
Lady Finger bananas trees can grow at a height of 7.5 m. Its pseudostem is slender but it has a heavy root system that makes it resistant to wind damage. The outer sheaths are dark-brown or streaked with reddish brown. The leaves are yellowish green and nearly free of wax. It blooms during mid-summer, late summer, and early fall. Each bunch, usually 10.4 kg in weight, typically having 10 to 14 hands. Each hands consists of 12 to 20 fruits. It is monocarpic and is propagated asexually.

Its depends on soil and climate, the fruit is finger-sized, reaching 4 to 5 in in length, under perfect growing conditions. The skin is thin and light yellow. The flesh is deliciously sweet. Despite their resemblance, the Lady Finger banana must not be confused with the totally different cultivar Latundan banana which is a bit larger and has a sweet-sour taste. ‘Apple’ or ‘Manzana’ banana cultivars is also very similar to ‘Lady Finger’ in all respects except that its fruit 's flavor has very much like fresh apple.

Nutrition
Lady finger bananas are carotenoid-rich, containing 315 μg β-Carotene/100 g. They are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Diseases
Lady Finger bananas are resistant to Panama disease and the black weevil, but is susceptible to Sigatoka leaf spot.

Uses
Lady Finger bananas are eaten fresh or used in desserts. Its preferred for fragrant aroma, sweetness, nutritional value and esthetic value. They are known for being more superior than supermarket bananas. In Indonesia, Lady Finger banana is often used as a decoration in traditional ceremonies. Dwarf Lady Finger bananas, typically growing only up to 15 ft in height, are also cultivated as houseplants.