Broadleaf plantain is a perennial broadleaf plant that infrequently behaves as an annual or biennial. Members of the plantain family have basal rosettes of leaves and leafless spikes of inconspicuous flowers. It is found throughout California to 7200 feet (2200 m), except for the Sierra Nevada region and deserts.
Where do plantains grow in the US?
Plantain, known as Plantago major, grows all over North America and around the world. It is commonly found in yards and gardens where pesticides aren’t used. Chances are, if you’re a Climate Victory Gardener, you’ve come across this plant.
Where is plantain best grown?
Cameroon is leading the plantain production with 4.3 million tons, followed by Ghana (just under 4 million tons), Uganda (3.7 mio tons), Colombia (3.5 mio. tons) and Nigeria (3.1 mio tons). Philippines, Peru, Ivory Coast, Myanmar and Democratic Republic of Congo complete the top 10.
What climate are plantains grown in?
Requirements Plantains grow best in hot and humid climates, require a rainfall of at least 1000 mm (39.4 in) per year to survive and have a high light requirement. Plantains will grow optimally at 27°C (98.6°F) and require a deep soil, rich in organic matter which is well draining and well aerated.
Where can I find plantain plant?
Look for Plantago in yards, alongside roadsides, and in disturbed areas. Plantain grows in the shade or in the sun, so check both areas thoroughly when foraging.
Which state is the highest producer of plantain?
It is widely produced in the South and Central regions of Nigeria such as; Oyo, Edo, Ondo Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Ogun States, Cross River, Ebonyi Abia, Ekiti, Imo, Plateau, Osun, Kogi, Anambra and Enugu.
Plantains And Banana Crop Producing States in Nigeria.
| Variables | Banana | Plantain |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 22% carbohydrate | 32% carbohydrate |
Can you eat plantains raw?
Ripe plantains are sweet like a banana, without the banana flavor. They can be eaten raw but are best when fried. The edges caramelize and become crispy like the edges of pancakes cooked in butter.
How many years does it take plantain to grow?
Plantain takes about 8 months to start to yield and about 3 months to mature. That’s to say, it takes about a year to have the first harvest from the planting date.
How long does it take to grow a plantain tree?
This plant grows from an underground rhizome reaching 12 to 15 feet tall with huge leaves, which wrap around the trunk. To obtain fruit, this tree needs 10 to 15 months without freezing temperatures to produce flowers and another four to eight months to grow plantains, according to California Rare Fruit Growers.
What is the difference between a banana tree and a plantain tree?
Both of these plants grow pseudostems that appear to form a complete trunk, but it is in fact various offshoots of the plant itself. The banana tree grows flowers that are white or cream, while plantain trees grow red or maroon flowers. However, they both produce fruit in a similar fashion as well.
Are wild bananas the same as plantains?
There are three species of banana: sweet bananas, plantains and inedible (wild) bananas. While plantain bananas resemble the sweet bananas we eat as a fruit, plantains are only rarely eaten raw.
Are plantains hard to grow?
Follow those two rules and caring for plantain trees is fairly simple. As with all plants, some feeding is required. Feed the plant once a month during the summer with a slow-release 8-10-8 fertilizer. A heavy feeder, a mature tree needs about 1-2 pounds (0.5-1 kg.), spread out in a 4-8 foot (1-2.5 m.)
Where do fried plantains come from?
Fried plantain is a dish cooked wherever plantains grow, from West Africa to East Africa as well as Central America, the tropical region of northern South America and the Caribbean countries like Haiti to Cuba and in many parts of Southeast Asia, where fried snacks are widely popular.
Can I grow a plantain tree from a plantain?
So if you know someone with a plantain tree, you can use it to get your own young plantain: Choose a sucker (a growth at the base of the mother plant) at least 30 cm (12 in) tall, and ideally 50 cm (20 in) tall and 15 cm (6 in) across. The ones with long, blade-like leaves are best for fruit.
Can you eat common plantain?
Plantain is a highly nutritious wild edible, that is high in calcium and vitamins A, C, and K. The young, tender leaves can be eaten raw, and the older, stringier leaves can be boiled in stews and eaten. The seeds are also edible.
Where do most plantains come from?
Like bananas, plantains are originally from Southeast Asia. However, they are now grown all over the world, including in India, Egypt, Indonesia, and tropical regions of the Americas. Plantains are usually larger and tougher than bananas, with much thicker skin.
What came first banana or plantain?
“If the term ‘crop’ signifies a plant that can be grown for subsistence, then the plantain and the edible diploid bananas may indeed have been the first fruit crop.” It might be easiest, then, to begin—but not end—with the banana, whose origins are generally considered to be in Southeast Asia between 8000-5000 BCE.
Which country consumes the most plantains?
The countries with the highest volumes of plantain consumption in 2019 were the Democratic Republic of the Congo (5.7M tonnes), Cameroon (5.2M tonnes), and Ghana (4.2M tonnes), together comprising 36% of global consumption.
In which state banana is grown most?
Most bananas grown in India are eaten in India. Growing regions include the northeast and the south, but the west central state of Maharashtra leads the way. More than half of the nation’s bananas are Cavendish, which is the world’s most widely cultivated variety.
What are the disadvantages of eating plantain?
Risks. Plantains are healthy. But they’re less so when you cook them with a lot of oil, fat, or sugar. High-fat, high-salt, or high-sugar foods can raise your risk of weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.
Are fried plantains healthy?
While they taste absolutely amazing, fried plantains aren’t exactly a healthy choice if fried in an unhealthy oil. It’s better to think of plantains as a starchy vegetable or a substitute for potatoes. Their texture and mild flavor really shines when baked or grilled.