Why in the News?

A species of wild banana, Musa indandamanensis, endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has set a world record with an infructescence (fruit bunch axis) measuring 4.2 metres — the longest ever recorded among banana species globally.

About the Musa indandamanensis:

• Musa indandamanensis is a wild banana species that is endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• It was first discovered in 2012 near the Krishna Nala reserve forest in Little Andaman and officially described in 2014.
• The species was later rediscovered in Campbell Bay, located in the Nicobar Islands.
• The discovery was led by Dr. Lal Ji Singh, Head of the Botanical Survey of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre.
• Due to its limited natural range and habitat vulnerability, it is listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN.

Notable Features:

• The species holds the world record for the longest banana infructescence, measuring 4.2 metres.
• The plant typically reaches a height of about 11 metres, with stem girth varying by location: under 100 cm in Little Andaman and around 110 cm in Campbell Bay.
• It bears golden yellow to orange fruits, which ripen into a golden-orange pulp containing many irregular-shaped seeds.
• The plant thrives in moist tropical forests, typically near waterfalls and streams.
• It is considered a valuable genetic resource for developing drought-resistant, disease-tolerant, and high-yielding banana varieties.
• Specimens are showcased in botanical institutions such as the Indian Museum in Kolkata and the Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre.
• For ex-situ conservation, saplings have been planted in botanical gardens in Howrah, Prayagraj, and Port Blair.

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