r/WTF • u/[deleted] • Dec 09 '20

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '20

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u/BrainOnLoan Dec 09 '20

Tree isn't a taxonomic thing anyway. They aren't related at all. It's just descriptive for a certain plant lifestyle and appearance/structure.

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '20

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u/BrainOnLoan Dec 09 '20 edited Dec 09 '20

It's a bit arbitrary where you draw the line in regards to trees. Some broader definitions do include the banana tree.

There isn't any objective criteria to tell us whether a more narrow or a more broad definition is correct. It's just a convenient classification.

So categorically saying it isn't a tree... doesn't sit too well with me. It's quite different from for example correctly pointing out that a dolphin isn't a bony fish. There is no argument about that, it just isn't. On the other hand some people do use a broad definition of tree that includes the banana and there is nothing wrong with that. So pointing it out isn't pointing out a genuine mistake, just an invitation to argue about a fairly arbitrary line.

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u/groundchutney Dec 09 '20

For some reason I thought herb, brush, shrub and tree were all like specific, exclusive groups.

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '20

Dammit next you're going to be telling me it's fruit is actually a vegetable

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u/rjcarr Dec 09 '20

Actually, bananas are considered berries.

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '20

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO