Silk subgroup
The Silk subgroup belongs to the AAB genome group and includes cultivars that produce sweet-acid fruits whose flavour is reminiscent of apples, hence the use of the names Apple, Manzana and Figue pomme to refer to these bananas. Their susceptibility to Fusarium wilt has led to a decline in their importance.
Main characteristics
The peel of ripe fruits splits easily. The skin at the upper surface of the pedicel tends to break transversely, so that the fruit falls.
Silk cultivars are often confused with those in the Pome subgroup. They differ in having a more slender male bud, narrower and more pointed bracts and more numerous male flowers.
References
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).