Heliconia Species, Lobster Claw, Macaw Flower

I have not grown this plant; however, I have observed it growing in the rain forest region of Maui, Hawaii. It has become a naturalized (...Read Moreintroduced) native plant in the Hawaiian Islands. Heliconia bihai is usually pollinated by bats and hummingbirds and its upward facing bracts serve as natural water cups for birds and insects. Cut bloom stalks can last up to 3 weeks in water.

This Heliconia is one of the toughest and most durable. It stands up to wind with minimal breakage and stays as a tight clump for many ye...Read Morears. The flowers bloom like clockwork starting in late April and lasting through the end of August.

This Heliconia looks at first sight like H. rostrata. The main difference is in the position of the inflorescence. While H. rostrata has ...Read Morea pendulous flower stalk, H. bihai has an erect and rather tall one.

The overall look of the plant isn´t different from the most common Heliconias. The inflorescence has keeled red bracts, with a green stripe on the margin. There are a few yellow flowers inside each bract, and it atracts hummingbirds like nothing else. The fruits are interesting too, having a rare blue color when ripe.

It needs full sun, but goes well under some shade. It likes high temperatures, rich and well drained soil and regular watering - more frequent if you live on the tropics. It doesn´t resist to much cold. Can be easily propagated by rhyzome division.