Unique banana plant bears seven hearts, bunches
LIMBANG: Normally a single banana plant will produce one bunch of bananas and one inflorescence (also known as banana heart or ‘jantung pisang’) although incidences of one plant having two flowers are not uncommon. However, it is rare to find a banana plant bearing multiple bunches and hearts.
A rare case of a banana plant having seven bunches and seven hearts recently surfaced at Kampung Bidang, Limbang.
Its owner, Nicholas Rindang, said this is the first time his banana plant has produced such unusual fruits and he believed it was a sign of good luck.
He said previously during one of his hunting trips, he saw a banana plant with four hearts.
Bananas are versatile plants with many uses for its stems, leaves, flowers and fruit— every part of which is edible.
The heart and soft stem may be eaten as vegetables and salad ingredients while the ripe banana fruit can be eaten raw or used as ingredients in cakes and desserts as well as made into fruit drinks.
The fibre from the stem can be used as string and handicraft material while its leaves are often used for wrapping or serving food.
Banana hearts and flowers, which are rich in vitamin C and A, are also traditionally believed to be able to reduce bodily pains by consuming them or rubbing them on the affected body parts. Such topical application is also said to be effective in relieving