Heliconias are remarkable plants, not only for the beauty of their flowers, but also for the fact that they are so mysterious -- so little is known about them, their cultivation and care. Anyone travelling in the tropics will marvel at these large, eye-catching plants when they are in bloom. Although these large tropical flowers are natives to only Central and South America and some islands of the South Pacific, their easy cultivation and spectacular presence have made them favorite garden subjects throughout the world. They have become increasingly popular as decorative flowers, especially in those regions where they cannot be grown in the garden.

 

HABITATS

Most species of heliconias can be found in moist or wet regions, but some are found in seasonally dry areas. Although Heliconias flourish in the humid lowland tropics at elevations below 1500 feet, surprisingly, the greatest number of species are found in middle elevation rain and cloud forest habitats. The most remarkable members of the genus inhabit open sites in secondary growth along roads, riverbanks and in patches of light in the forest.

 

POLINATORS

In the American Tropics, hummingbirds are the exclusive polinators of red, yellow , pink and orange heliconias while nectar feeding bats are the polinators of green heliconias.
 
 

BOTANICAL RELATIVES-TAXONOMY.

THE ORDER ZINGIBERALES.

Heliconia is the only genus in the plant family heliconiacea, which is a member of a larger taxonomic category called the order Zingiberales. There are several very obvious characteristics by which they can be recognized, including large leaves and large, colorful, bracteate inflorecences. Most taxonomists recognize eight separate families in the zingiberales : Musacea (Bananas),Strelitziacea (Bird of Paradise), Lowiacea, Heliconiacea (Heliconias), Zingiberacea (Gingers), Costacea (Costus), Cannacea (Cannas) and Marantacea (Prayer Plants).