Barbados Blooms: Heliconia

When you think of the Caribbean and the Tropics this flower is most certainly one that comes to mind! Heliconias would have to be one of the most vibrant and colourful species in Barbados. Also popularly known as lobster-claw, wild plantain or false bird-of-paradise, it is a beautiful flower with multi-color bracts (orange, yellow, red, pink, green, purple) and varied flower structure. There are three (3) types of heliconias, the Erect, Pendant and Psittacorum type. The heliconia plant can grow up to 30 feet in height with green coloured banana looking like leaves and are used widely on the island as landscape plants. The colourful bracts can often grown upwards or they can droop down from the main stem, then they are known as hanging heliconia (pendent heliconia, as seen in the picture above). 

The heliconia plant can be seen widely across the island from attractions such as Hunte's Gardens to even Fisherpond Great House. They are also seen in many private houses and gardens as they mix well with other tropical plants such as ginger lillies, for a lovely, lively and lush landscape.