Tropical Plant Database - Plant Details

This classic Heliconia with pendent inflorescence grows 5' to 20 ' high in full sun to 50 % of shade. The inflorescence grows up to 3' or more long, comprising up to 35 bracts. Heliconia Paradise blooms throughout the year and is suitable for planting in containers or larger pots. This magnificent heliconia, called Red Palulu in Suriname, can be found abundantly in the tropical rainforest of the Guianas. It has up to five lancelate leaves, 6' long each. The bracts are light to dark red with a yellow edge and a green top. The seeds are formed in these bracts and are shiny violet.
(Berry, Fred and Kress, W. John. 1991. Heliconia, an Identification Guide.)

Heliconia rostrata is one of the most popular tropical flowers in the world. It is used as cut flower, ornamental plant, for protection of streams and landscaping. The flowers last a long time and make an excellent cut flower. (See also other heliconia from this web site!)
(Berry, Fred and Kress, W. John. 1991. Heliconia, an Identification Guide.)

(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)

A widely cultivated species which originates from Peru and Ecuador.
(Berry, Fred and Kress, W. John. 1991. Heliconia,an Identification Guide.)

The pollination is done by hummingbirds and bats.

We currently have 4 herbarium specimens for Heliconia rostrata in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.

• 091561 - collected by Art Whistler in 1973
• 018350 - collected by Joel Lau in 1985
• 008603 - collected by W. J. Kress in 1990
• 008609 - collected by W. J. Kress in 1990