RARE HAWAIIAN BANANA VARIETY (A’ea’e) - Variegated (striped) Banana

Leaf Variegation is the term for loss of pigmentation is parts of the foliage or fruit. This is not due to adaptation but rather the result of a mutation. Two kinds of cellular mutations can occur that would cause this pigment variation.

First through genetic mutation, this form of variegation can be passed on to progeny via vegetative cutting and seed.

Second, by way of a mutation known as a chimera or random mutation. This mutation is random and the plant's progeny will not produce the same mutation. In floriculture variegation is often highly prized.

Since bananas are propagated asexually and this particular instance of variegation being due to genetic mutation, the progeny from this banana corm will always be variegated as seen in the picture below this one.

I planted this banana early last year

Bananas are not trees, scientifically speaking they are a berry as is grapes, oranges, and eggplant

Each psuedostem grows from the base "mat" known as the corm

When ready for harvest the producing psuedostem is terminated as it's main function after harvest becomes storage of carbohydrates for the new young psuedostems emerging from the existing corm

They ripen yellow and slowly lose their stripes, but taste fantastic!