banana family
Noun: 1. A taxonomic family of plants: "banana family" is the common name for the plant family Musaceae. This family consists primarily of large, treelike herbaceous plants native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa. 2. Characteristic plants: The family is named for its most economically important genus, Musa, which includes banana and plantain plants. Members are characterized by their large, paddle-shaped leaves and often succulent, fruit-bearing stems.
The term "banana family" is used in botanical and horticultural contexts to classify and discuss a specific group of related plants. * The traveler was surprised to learn that the bird-of-paradise flower belongs to the banana family. * Botanists study the banana family to understand the evolution of monocotyledonous plants.
- In scientific classification: While "banana family" is the common name, the formal scientific name is . In precise scientific writing, the Latin name is often preferred.
- The genus Ensete, included in the banana family (Musaceae), is crucial for food security in parts of Africa.
- Musaceae (n): The formal Latin name for the banana family.
- Musa (n): The genus within the banana family that includes edible bananas and plantains.
- Banana plant (n): A common member of the banana family.
- Plantain (n): A cooking banana, a member of the genus within the banana family.
- Musaceae: (The direct scientific synonym).
- Family Musaceae: (A more formal phrasing).
The term "banana family" refers specifically to the botanical family (Musaceae). It does not refer to a group of bananas or a social unit. The "treelike" description is botanical; these plants are technically giant herbs, not true trees, as they do not form woody trunks.
- treelike tropical Asian herbs