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Rhino Horn bananas, also called Rhino Horn plantains or African Rhino Horn, are hybrid banana cultivars from Africa. It produces strongly curved and elongated edible bananas which can grow to a length of two feet, the longest fruits among banana cultivars.
| Musa 'African Rhino Horn' | |
|---|---|
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| Hybrid parentage | Musa acuminata × Musa balbisiana |
| Cultivar group | AAB Group (Plantain Group) |
| Cultivar | 'African Rhino Horn' |
| Origin | Africa |
Taxonomy edit
The Rhino Horn banana is a triploid (AAB Group, commonly known as Horn plantains) hybrid of the seeded banana Musa balbisiana and Musa acuminata.
Its official designation is Musa acuminata × balbisiana (AAB Group) 'African Rhino Horn'.
Description edit
Rhino Horn banana plants can grow to a height of 12 to 20 feet.[1][2] The pseudostem and leaves are dappled red.
Rhino Horn bananas have the longest fruits among banana cultivars, reaching up to 2 feet in length,[2] though they normally only reach lengths of 12 to 14 inches. They produce two to four hands per bunch.[3]
Uses edit
Fruits of the Rhino Horn bananas can be eaten raw or cooked. They are also cultivated as ornamental plants for their attractive coloration.[2]
Pests and diseases edit
Common pests edit
- Borers (Cosmopolites sordidus)
- Grasshoppers
- Root Nematodes (Radopholus similis)
Common diseases edit
- Panama disease (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense)
- Black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis)
See also edit
- Banana
- List of banana cultivars - Banana cultivar groups
- Musa
- Musa acuminata
- Musa balbisiana
- Plantain
References edit
- ^ Tropical Fruit Information Archived 2010-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Musa 'African Rhino Horn'
- ^ Encanto Farms: Plantains