Scientific name Heliconia rostrata Rank Species | Genus Heliconia Higher classification Lobster-claws | |
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Similar Lobster‑claws, Heliconia psittacorum, Heliconia bihai, Heliconia stricta, Heliconia wagneriana | ||
Growing the hanging lobster claw heliconia rostrata
Heliconia rostrata (also known as Hanging Lobster Claw or False Bird of Paradise) is an herbaceous perennial native to Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, and naturalized in Puerto Rico. Other Heliconias grow in the upright position (e.g. Heliconia bihai), their cup-shaped flower bracts storing water for birds and insects. This plant, however, has downward-facing flowers, the flowers thus providing a source of nectar to birds.
Heliconias are known to those who grow them as a host flower to many birds, especially the Hummingbird. Because of its unique characteristics, it is often used as a specimen for tropical gardens.
Along with the Kantuta flower, Heliconia rostrata, known as patujú, is the national flower of Bolivia.
References
Heliconia rostrata Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA