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Plant Informational Database

Monkey Banana

Porcelia macrocarpa

A strange and rare Annona relative with vaguely banana-appearing fruits that have minimal but tasty pulp. Fruits form in radiating clusters much like a clump of banana's. Skin is yellow-brown, with thin white flesh surrounding several large seeds.

Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Monkey Banana. Please visit our seed store to view current selections.

Description

A medium sized tree from 15-45 feet. Has long, somewhat skinny leaves to 6" long. Large, bulbous flowers are white. Fruits in 4-6 years from seed.

Hardiness

Frost hardy to 25F.

Growing Environment

Grows best in wet, humid climates. Will tolerate some cool temperatures but should generally be kept in a freeze-free environment.

Propagation

By seeds. Seeds are very slow to germinate, taking from 4-12 months germination time.

Uses

Pulp is said to tasty and is eaten fresh.

Native Range

Native to semi-deciduous Atlantic forests from Minas Gerais to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Very rare in the wild and not cultivated.

Related Species

Annonaceae  
Annona cacans
Araticum Cagao
Annona cherimola
Cherimoya
Annona cherimola x squamosa
Atemoya
Annona cornifolia
Annona cornifolia
Annona crassiflora
Marolo
Annona diversifolia
Ilama
Annona glabra
Pond Apple
Annona montana
Mountain Soursop
Annona muricata
Soursop
Annona paludosa
Annona paludosa
Annona purpurea
Soncoya
Annona reticulata
Custard Apple
Annona salzmannii
Beach Sugar Apple
Annona scleroderma
Poshe-te
Annona senegalensis
Wild Custard Apple
Annona sericea
Annona sericea
Annona squamosa
Sugar Apple
Anonidium mannii
Junglesop
Asiminia triloba
Pawpaw
Cananga odorata
Ylang Ylang
Duguetia lanceolata
Pindaiba
Monodora myristica
Calabash Nutmeg
Porcelia macrocarpa
Monkey Banana
Rollinia deliciosa
Biriba
Rollinia sylvatica
Aractium do Mato
Stelechocarpus burahol
Kepel
Xylopia aromatica
Monkey Pepper