Heliconia

Heliconia is a genus of tropical flowering plants distinguished by showy bracts surrounding small flowers. Its species are pollinated mainly by hummingbirds or bats.

Hummingbird pollination: Pollination in which hummingbirds transfer pollen while feeding on flower nectar. Many Heliconia species have curved flowers and nectar suited to hummingbird bills.
Heliconiaceae: A family of tropical flowering plants consisting of the genus Heliconia. Heliconia is the sole genus placed in this botanical family.
Cut flower: A flower or flowering stem harvested for decorative display. Long-lasting Heliconia inflorescences are harvested for floral arrangements.
Banana: The edible fruit of plants in the genus Musa, which belong to the order Zingiberales. Bananas and heliconias are distant relatives with large leaves and overlapping leaf sheaths.
Bat pollination: Pollination in which bats transfer pollen while feeding on flowers or their nectar. Some Heliconia species produce flowers adapted to nocturnal visits by nectar-feeding bats.
Zingiberales: An order of mostly tropical monocot plants that includes bananas, gingers, and heliconias. Heliconia belongs to this order of often large-leaved tropical plants.
Tropical garden: A garden designed around plants suited to warm climates, often with lush foliage and bold flowers. Heliconia is widely cultivated for vivid color and architectural form in warm-climate gardens.
Ginger: Aromatic rhizomatous plants in the genus Zingiber, cultivated as spices and ornamentals. Gingers belong to the same order as Heliconia and share its tropical growth habit.
Floral nectary: A flower structure that secretes nectar, often attracting animal pollinators. Heliconia nectar rewards the birds and bats that carry its pollen.
Monocotyledon: A flowering plant whose seed typically develops one embryonic leaf, or cotyledon. Heliconia is a monocot, sharing this basic plant structure with grasses and palms.

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