Is Casa Banana Fruit Seed a Tree or Bush?

Growth

• The casa banana vine is fast-growing and, because of the weight of the fruits, requires strong trellis support. The vine attaches to walls and other vertical surfaces but can also climb trees up to 50 feet or higher, according to a University of Purdue horticulture profile on the plant. The vine has four-part tendrils with adhesive discs that adhere securely to the smoothest surfaces of an object, such as smooth bark.

Fruit and Flowers

• The casa banana fruit resembles a cucumber more than a banana. In fact, another name for the fruit is the musk cucumber. The fruit is shaped like a long oval, almost cylindrical, and is filled with tiny seeds. Recognized for its powerful, melon-sweet odor, the fruit also has interesting coloring: either orange, red, maroon or pure black. Flowers are white or yellow, with five lobes. The flowers bloom singularly, from 3/4 inch to 2 inches long.

Stems and Leaves

• Stems of a young casa banana fruit plant are lined with hairs. The plants' leaves, which are rounded and jelly bean-shaped, are gray and hairy. Leaves grow to about 1 foot wide with wavy or serrated edges.

Germination

• Gardeners and farmers grow the casa banana fruit plant from the seeds or from cuttings. For ideal ripening, the plant needs a hig, tropical temperature during the fruit season to create delectable, moist fruits. In Brazil, according to Purdue University, growers train the vine to climb up and over arbors or plant it close to a tree for the vine to climb. However, training the vine to a certain point is crucial: if the vine grows too tall, the tree branches and leaves can keep the casa banana plant from growing.