Wildlife Spotting

4 years ago (2011) outside Raleigh, NC. I bought and planted one plant which grew out four smaller shoots by the end of the year. A year later (2012) the main plant and the other four rapidly grew up to and pass the 8FT high deck they were under.

The year after (2013) in the spring time. I separated all of them from the main root mass. I planted them in the same high sun, soft dark moist dirt, 8FT apart and each of the five plants grew four or more of their own.

Each year the plant dies in the winter. The NC winters of 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 were mild. The lowest temperatures were in the 20's. The plants died down to an standing stock.

In the winter of 2013-2014 it was cold for NC. Temperatures were down in the teens and we got some real snow.

The plants died down to the ground. I was happy to see them grow back in the spring time.

After a month of growing I notice something strange. A plant that would only produce damage leaves had a growth coming from the top. I thought it was more damage leaves OR the fruit. I thought it was little chance of being the fruit.

Finally the growth showed it self an the petals begin to open revealing the fruit under each one.

So far four petals have open and fallen with more to go. The petals fall away exposing the fruit. Each open petal revealed around eight fruits.

A solid stock growths out and holds the flower firmly. Eventually the stuck will dip down to allow the fruit to hang upside down.

That's all. NC banana of plantain. I'll find out what if they grow to normal size. They have the rest of July, August and some September before if begins to get cold again.