I had wondered in my younger days that how banana leaves are seen coming out of wayside dunes. In closer view I found out that they grew out of corms that were disposed off from the nearby plantations. This Banana tree (Musa paradisiaca, Sweet banana, Dessert banana, 'Vazhlaippazhlam' in Tamil) yields the fruits that we, the humans, apes, elephants and many other animals relish on. It is not a tree but a herbaceous plant!
Its trunk has many layers of sheaths that continue above as long and broad leaves.
Centrally a rod-like offshoot grows out from the corm, and it bears a grayish red flower head (banana heart). As the petal-like sheaths of it lift up layer by layer, flowers are shown up. The sets of flowers are seen arranged in layers of rows around its stem. The flowers in the upper rows are females that develop into fruits.
This tropical tree is said to have its origin in India and South Asia. If this banana tree is found fastened at the entrance, it means that there is a Hindu marriage or festival. At all Hindu functions either at house or at temple banana leaves are used as the plates for serving food items. The leaves are also placed over severe burns victims for its cooling effect on the wounds. The sheaths of the trunk are used as medicine to treat Kidney stones (Renal calculi) and snake bites. The juice of its flowers is also a good menstrual regulator.
After a banana tree bears fruits, it decays down; but soon fresh young shoots arise around its base from the corm! So, siblings grow out like this sustaining the family of banana and pave the way for the generations to continue on. There are blessing words in Tamil for a newly married couple meaning "To prosper like a banana tree with its saplings' Those Tamil words - 'Vazhlaiadi Vazhlai pol vazhlga.'
Here in India this wonder tree is next only to cow in having these multitude of uses for Hindu families!
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