what is the function of the loose fronds which extend the length of bananas and which seem to have no links to the fruit body

Question

I peel a banana every morning and always feel impelled to pick these off before chopping up the fruit.. so are they a redundant element??

Answer 1

The banana that you eat on a daily basis is a genetic mutant and hybrid. Those are the remnants of connective tissue that connect the peel to the seeds. Since these are not present in the modern banana, they serve no function.

Here is a little trick, though. Peel the banana upside down, and most of those come off, since peeling upside down goes against the grain of growth of the connective tissue.

This article will offer information on bananas, as well as help you to germinate banana seeds, should you have an interest in the subject: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/banana/growing-bananas-from-seeds.htm