Diversity:  a well defined group of 8 families and about 1,800 species that, for the most part, is centered in the world's tropical forests.  Cronquist indicates that the "broad but fragile leaf-blade of the group may reflect adaptation to a forest habitat, with low light-intensity and little wind".

plant	infructescence	inflorescence

Ravenala madagascariensis	Strelitzia reginae - flower	Strelitzia reginae - plant/florescence

water tank	epigynous flower	fruit (sectioned)

More information on the Musaceae , Strelitziaceae, and Cannaceae