Is a Banana A Herb?

The Banana Seed and Tree

Is a banana a herb? Learn the truth about this tropical plant and banana nutrients and health benefits.

Most of us were pretty shocked when we first found out as children that tomatoes are actually fruits, not vegetables. Now there is a fruit dear to our hearts that may actually represent an herb more than what we know it to be.

Wally G

Is a banana a herb? The answer is both yes and no. There is a bit of confusion going around as to whether or not this might be true. Herbs are defined as plants that do not have woody stems, having softer plant tissue instead. In reality, “banana trees” aren't actually trees, they are very large herbaceous plants. While they may grow to be 10 to 25 feet tall, they do not have wooden trunks, making them one giant herb.

But here is the catch. A yellow banana itself is definitely not an herb. Bananas have all of the characteristics of a normal fruit with seeds, flesh and everything. So while the banana clusters at the top of the tree are fruits, they are fruits of a large herb plant.

Many people become confused about this when they hear people say that bananas are herbs. They often don't hear the full explanation as to which is which. Another confusing aspect is that the bananas you buy at the store often are cultivated to not have seeds. This can give many people the impression that it is impossible for them to be fruit without the reproductive seeds.

In truth, wild bananas have plenty of small seeds that are used to grow new banana trees. Animals eat and transport the seeds either by passing through the digestive system or by carrying them around, and thus the plants have the ability to grow all over countries with the proper climate.
Credit: J Caze

Store carried bananas are usually sterile, making it very difficult to see the seeds as they become tiny specks. Wild bananas don't have particularly large seeds to begin with, but they are certainly noticeable and serve their purpose. Thus, these large herbaceous plants proliferate in warm temperatures and produce nutritious, delicious fruit for people and animals.

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