The leaves of the banana plant are large, flexible, and waterproof. They are used many ways, including as umbrellas and to wrap food for cooking or storage. The banana fruit grows in hanging clusters, with up to 20 fruit to a tier (called a hand), and 3–20 tiers to a bunch. They are native to the tropical region of Southeast Asia. Bananas are likely to have been first domesticated in Papua New Guinea. Today, they are cultivated throughout the tropics.