Banana-families

The "banana-families"^[1][2] or banana group^[3][4] is a basal paraphyletic assemblage in the order Zingiberales (Monocotyledoneae) that comprises Musaceae (the banana family), Lowiaceae, Strelitziaceae, and Heliconiaceae.^[1][2] These taxa differentiate from the "ginger-families" derived clade by their plesiomorphic state of five or six fertile stamens,^[1][2][5] and generally have large banana-like^[1][2] leaves that are easily torn^[5] between secondary veins.

Morphologically, this is a more homogeneous group than the "ginger-families" clade.^[2] In the past the banana families were often combined into the single family Musaceae.^[3][1][2]

• Banana-families
• 
  Musa (Musaceae)
• 
  Ensete (Musaceae)
• 
  Ravenala madagascariensis (Strelitziaceae)
• 
  Strelitzia (Strelitziaceae)
• 
  Heliconia (Heliconiaceae)
• 
  Orchidantha (Lowiaceae)

See also

• Ginger-families ("Core Zingiberales")
• Zingiberales
• Monocotyledoneae