What is "plantain tree"

Plantain \Plan"tain\, n. [Cf. F. plantain-arbre, plantanier, Sp. pl['a]ntano, pl['a]tano; prob. same word as plane tree.]

1. (Bot.) A treelike perennial herb ( Musa paradisiaca) of tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large clusters of the fruits called plantains. See Musa.

2. The fruit of this plant. It is long and somewhat cylindrical, slightly curved, and, when ripe, soft, fleshy, and covered with a thick but tender yellowish skin. The plantain is a staple article of food in most tropical countries, especially when cooked.

   Plantain cutter, or Plantain eater (Zo["o]l.), any one of several large African birds of the genus Musophaga, or family Musophagid[ae], especially Musophaga violacea. See Turaco. They are allied to the cuckoos.

   Plantain squirrel (Zo["o]l.), a Java squirrel ( Sciurus plantani) which feeds upon plantains.

   Plantain tree (Bot.), the treelike herb Musa paradisiaca. See def. 1 (above).

n. a banana tree bearing hanging clusters of edible angular greenish starchy fruits; tropics and subtropics [syn: plantain, Musa paradisiaca]