I am doing a reseach project on bananas and need a scientific name which do I use?

Question

My teachers says musa x paradisica is wrong, what would be correct?

Answer 1

According to my book Musa x paradisiaca are being phased out in favor of Musa acuminata cultivars for susceptibility to destructive Panama disease. A lot of the edible bananas are now Cavendish types which are Musa acuminatas.

So, I'd say that that both names are correct. There are Musa x paradisiacas around but not as prolific as Musa acuminatas.

Hope this helps! :)

Answer 2

The bananas commonly available are cultivars of Musa acuminata.