Dick Culbert · CC BY 2.0
About
The genus *Heliconia* includes over 190 species, commonly known as lobster-claws or wild plantains, and is notable for its brightly colored, waxy bracts and large, showy flower structures. The species are highly valued as ornamentals and are recognized for their close resemblance to the bird-of-paradise flowers.
Field notes
Morphology
The herbaceous plants range from 0.5 to nearly 4.5 m tall. Simple leaves are characteristically long, oblong, alternate, or opposite, measuring 15–30 cm. Flowers are produced on long, erect or drooping panicles, consisting of brightly colored, waxy bracts that subtend small true flowers. The colors range from reds, oranges, yellows, and greens.
Distribution & habitat
Most species are native to the tropical Americas, with a few indigenous to certain islands of the western Pacific and Maluku in Indonesia. They are found in tropical forests.
Ecology
The flowers produce ample nectar, primarily attracting hummingbirds, which are the main pollinators. The species also provide shelter for various animals; for instance, the Honduran white bat makes diurnal tent-shaped roosts using the leaves, and insects inhabit the rolled young leaves and water-filled floral bracts.
History & etymology
The generic name *Heliconia* was given by Carl Linnaeus in 1771 from the Greek word Ἑλικώνιος Helikṓnios, referring to Mount Helicon in Boeotia, central Greece.
Conservation
Most species are listed as either vulnerable or data deficient by the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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