Plantain (Starchy Banana) and Breadfruit

Abstract

According to Sauer, the banana was probably among the first plants domesticated by man. This occurred in southeast Asia, probably Malaya. At that time vegetative parts were used as food since fruits were inedible. During the evolution of the banana, the first and crucial event to take place was the occurrence of the parthenocarpic fruit. First records of bananas were in India about 500–600 BC; also, there are records of this fruit growing in China about 200 AD. Subsequently, banana spread from its place of origin to Africa and to the Mediterranean region before 650 AD. It was introduced to the New World in post-Columbian times.