Sky wrote:
Nancy Young wrote:

How did I not notice that this bunch of bananas
has ingrown paper?

http://i37.tinypic.com/bgqqub.jpg

and how did it get there? You cannot remove the paper,
it's a part of the banana stems.

I've never seen anything like that in person - how peculiar. I wonder
if it's something done to keep pests away from the flowers that make
the bananas?

I did think maybe they sort of bag the bananas while
they are growing? I can't think how else this paper is
an integrated part of this banana bunch.

I know some fruits are sometimes covered with paper
bags just after flowering/fertilization to protect the fruits - or
something like that. The fruits then mature inside the protection of
the bags (usually white) secured around the stems.

I'm going with that, Sky.

nancy