Description
Musa acuminata × balbisiana is the scientific name for a hybrid banana that results from the crossbreeding of Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana, which are the parents of most commercial bananas. Many specific banana cultivars, such as the Saba banana and the Blue Java banana, are designated with this scientific name followed by a specific cultivar name and an ABB group designation, for example, Musa acuminata × balbisiana (ABB Group) 'Saba' or 'Blue Java (Ice Cream)'
These two parent species are the wild ancestors of most modern bananas, with M. acuminata contributing traits for sweetness and M. balbisiana providing traits like winter hardiness and sometimes starchiness.