Musa Iholena Upehupehu
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Cultivar Name
Mai'a Iholena 'Ūpehupehu
Synonyms
Mai'a (Iholena) "Maoli-apex"
Pictures
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Description
An Iholena cultivar that was rediscovered in 2003, it features many traits similar to other Iholenas. Its most distinctive trait is fruits that are plump before maturity, lacking the taper on fruit tips like other Iholenas. This is where the temporary name "Maoli-apex" comes from, as it resembles the sausage-like fruit ends more commonly associated with Maoli type cultivars. It was given the name Mai'a 'Ūpehupehu by the Hawaiian Lexicon Committee, translated into English as "banana with fullness at the tip."
Young plants have much black on the trunk. Male and Female flowers have long curly lavender stamens. The ripe fruit has a yellow skin, with salmon colored pulp. Like other varieties in the Iholena Subgroup, the undersides of the leaves are bronzy-yellow.
As of 2011, there were less than 30 plants known to exist. It was present on the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Kaua'i, and O'ahu.
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Origin
Hawaii
- Date realized in trade -
First described in literature in 2003, after Kepler & Rust identified it as a distinct variety. Possibly much older in origin, with similar varieties existing in other Pacific Islands, but no indigenous knowledge on this particular Hawaiian variety was preserved.
Usage
Flowering
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Cultivation
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- Personal Notes -
- Growth tips -
Known Afflictions
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Research Notes
- Links to useful discussion threads in the forum:
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Members Growing This Banana
External
- Links
- (Links to other useful pages on the web that mention this banana. Example: International Banana Society)
- Sources
Kepler, A.K. and Rust, F.G. 2011. The world of bananas in Hawai'i: then and now. Pali-O-Waipi'o press, Hawaii. 586p. https://uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/the-world-of-bananas-in-hawaii-then-and-now/
