Sun May 11 18:15:03 UTC 2025: ## Record-Breaking Banana Discovered in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
**Kolkata, May 12, 2025** – Scientists have discovered a wild banana species in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the longest infructescence (fruit bunch) ever recorded, measuring a staggering 4.2 meters. The finding, published in the international journal *Botany Letters*, highlights the unique biodiversity of the islands.
The species, *Musa indandamanensis*, was first discovered in 2012 by Dr. Lal Ji Singh of the Botanical Survey of India. While initial specimens showed infructescences around 3 meters long, a recent discovery in Campbell Bay revealed an even longer specimen. This surpasses the typical 1-meter length seen in cultivated banana varieties.
Besides its impressive size, *Musa indandamanensis* is significant for its potential in developing new, high-yielding, and disease-resistant banana cultivars. The fruit has a golden-orange pulp and numerous seeds. The species, however, is critically endangered, prompting ex-situ conservation efforts with saplings planted in various botanical gardens across India.
Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of further research in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an ecological hotspot with significant untapped botanical potential. Specimens of the record-breaking banana are now on display at the Indian Museum in Kolkata and the Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre museum.
First Piper 