What is the difference between a banana tree and a plantain tree? Here's how to tell them apart quickly
Appearance: Banana trees bear crescent-shaped fruit, while plantain trees bear fruit that is round with a notch. Leaves: Banana tree leaves are oblong and bright green, while plantain tree leaves are long ovals, light green on the surface and powdery white on the underside. Fruit: Bananas are green when not fully ripe and yellow when ripe, with brown spots. Plantains stay grayish yellow for a long time and have no spots.
1. Differences in appearance
The banana tree's fruit is crescent-shaped, with a short stalk, and the peel has 5-6 ridges.
The plantain tree's fruit is round with a notch, thinner at both ends and thicker in the middle than the former. The two sides are differently shaped, one side flatter and the other more curved, with only 3 ridges.
2. Differences in leaves
Banana tree leaves are broader, oblong, and bright green.
Plantain tree leaves are relatively narrower, long ovals, light green on the surface and powdery white on the underside.
3. Differences in fruit
Bananas are green when not fully ripe and yellow when ripe, with brown spots. The flesh is yellow-white.
The plantain's peel stays grayish yellow for a long time and has no spots when ripe, and the flesh is milky white.