Plant leaves are the most visible portion of the plant. They are vascular stem’s lateral appendage. Chlorophyll in green leaves produces food for the plant through photosynthesis. We use leaves in various ways, including food, medicine, fodder, and religious purposes. Two such leaves are Hibiscus and banana leaf.
Hibiscus Leaf vs Banana Leaf
The main difference between hibiscus leaf and banana leaf is that Hibiscus has an alternate ornate venation with toothed and lobed margin. On the other hand, the banana leaf has a parallel venation with an elongated margin. The hibiscus leaf has antiseptic properties, and the banana leaf has more surface benefits.
Hibiscus is a Malvaceae family flowering plant. As the plant grows, it generates downward-bending leaves regardless of how much water it receives. Hibiscus leaves change shape with growth, and thus juvenile and mature hibiscus leaves look different. The hibiscus leaves are alternate, oval to lanceolate, and toothed or lobed at the edges (dentate).
Banana leaves belong to the family of Musaceae. It has big, flexible, water-resistant, and aesthetically pleasing. The banana leaf is a monocot leaf with parallel venation. The veins are arranged in a straight line and never connect to other veins. They’re used in cuisines for cooking, wrapping, and serving food.
Comparison Table Between Hibiscus Leaf and Banana Leaf
| Parameters of Comparison | Hibiscus Leaf | Banana Leaf |
| Family | The taxonomic hierarchy places it in the family of Malvaceae. | The taxonomic hierarchy places it in the family of Musaceae. |
| Leaf Venation | The leaves are alternate, oval to lanceolate. | The banana leaf is a monocot with parallel venation. |
| Medicinal properties | These leaves help cure gall bladder problems and high blood pressure. | The polyphenols present in these leaves fight all free radicals in the body. |
| Other uses | It has antiseptic and astringent properties. | The leaves find their usage as platter and writing surfaces. |
| Native | These are native to central and eastern North America. | These are native to South and Southeast Asia. |
What is Hibiscus Leaf?
Hibiscus is a flowering plant that grows in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The genus Hibiscus is vast and includes more than a hundred species. The flowers of these plants are fancy and extravagant and are popularly known as rose mallow.
The scientific name of Hibiscus is Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis. Because hibiscus leaves are so nutrient-dense, they’re used to produce shampoo, tea, and medicines. A healthy hibiscus plant makes three leaves at each growth site on its stem.
It features dark green leaves and a shrub-like growth habit. Its leaves form a shell-like structure around the blossom to protect it. Hibiscus leaves are simple, with oval staples and a pattern that alternates. Each leaf is 2 to 7 inches long, with a single bloom supported by the axis of each leaf.
The lower and top surfaces of a hibiscus leaf are of two different colours of green, with the upper surface being a brighter green than the lower. Furthermore, new growth is typically a lighter shade of green. Water accounts for around 85% of the weight of hibiscus leaves. They also contain many chemical components that make them useful for medical applications.
What is Banana Leaf?
The banana plant grows in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Bananas are elongated, edible fruits produced by herbaceous flowering plants. Musa species are native to Indonesia and Australia in the tropics. Approximately 135 countries grow bananas for their fruit, fibre, banana wine, and banana beer to a lesser extent.
A monocot leaf with parallel venation, the banana leaf is a monocot leaf. The veins are arranged in a straight line and never connect to other veins. In contrast to reticulate venation, there is no branching. Stomata spread evenly on the top and bottom surfaces, unlike dicots, which have more stomata on the lower surface.
The leaves of the banana are thick, soft, and hydrophobic.
South Asia and several Southeast Asian countries use them as environmentally friendly disposable meal containers.
Indonesian cuisine use banana leaves in cooking methods such as pepes and botok, in which banana leaf bundles containing food items and spices are steam boiled or grilled on charcoal. The banana leaves protect the meal contents from burning and offer a mildly sweet flavour whether used for steaming or grilling. It is usual in South India to serve traditional meals on a banana leaf.
Main Difference Between Hibiscus Leaf and Banana Leaf
- Hibiscus is a member of the Malvaceae family and belongs to the genus Hibiscus. Bananas are members of the Musa genus and the Musaceae family.
- The Hibiscus leaves are alternating and range in size from oval to lanceolate. A monocot with parallel venation, the banana leaf is a monocot.
- Hibiscus leaves benefits in curing cancer and gallbladder problems, lowering blood pressure, relieving dry coughs. Banana leaves have remarkable antibacterial properties, which aid digestion by destroying microorganisms in the diet.
- Hibiscus leaves have antibacterial and astringent properties. The common usage of banana leaves is as a plate or a writing surface.
- Hibiscus grows wild in central and eastern North America, but bananas grow wild in South and Southeast Asia.
Conclusion
Hibiscus are very conspicuous and vibrant flowers. There are a variety of uses for the Hibiscus plant and its parts. This plant is valuable in floriculture. The plants are attractive and attract a lot of bees and butterflies to any garden or balcony.
Hibiscus leaf extract treats respiratory issues and skin rashes. As an astringent, it helps the body’s metabolism move more quickly. It includes a lot of antioxidants and vitamins, making it a beneficial holistic medication for immune system health.
Banana leaves are sacred to Hindus and are part of every religious occasion. Many South and Southeast Asian countries used banana leaves as their principal writing surface in the past. Roofs and fences are composed of dry banana-leaf thatch in traditional tropical homebuilding. Compressing meals and constructing cups for liquid food items with dried banana leaves is prevalent in Tamil Nadu, India.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014181301400498X
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669017300213