Maoli bananas
Maoli bananas are indigenous to the Pacific region. They were originally classified in their own subgroup (often designated as Maia Maoli, Maia being the Hawaiian term for bananas), but are increasingly classified together with the Popoulu bananas in the Maoli-Popoulu subgroup.
Main morphological characteristics
The sausage-shape fruits are straight or slightly curved. They are 3-4 times as long as they are wide. The fruit tip is rounded and well-filled but not bulging. When fully ripe, the pulp colour is usually a rich yellow-orange1 .
References
1
Kepler, A.K. and Rust, F.G. 2011. The world of bananas in Hawai'i: then and now. Traditional pacific and global varieties, cultures, ornamentals, health and recipes. Pali-O-Waipi'o press, Hawaii. 586p.
Further reading
Ploetz, R.C., Kepler, A.K., Daniells, J.W. and Nelson, S.C. 2007. Banana and plantain: an overview with emphasis on Pacific island cultivars Musaceae (banana family). p27. In: Elevitch, C.R. (ed.). Species profiles for Pacific Island agroforestry. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa (USA).