Heliconia bihai

Heliconia bihai
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Zingiberales
Family:	Heliconiaceae
Genus:	Heliconia
Species:	H. bihai
Binomial name
Heliconia bihai (L.) L.

Heliconia bihai (Red palulu; syn. Bihai bihai Griggs, Heliconia aurea R.Rodr., Heliconia caribaea Lam., Musa bihai L.) of the Heliconiaceae family is an erect herb typically growing taller than 1.5 m. It is native to South America, especially Brazil and the Guianas.

Uses

This plant is used as an ornamental plant in hot regions with a humid climate (USDA zone 9-11), and is typically pollinated by bats and hummingbirds.

This upward facing flower of the Heliconia family, which acts as a cup, is a natural source of rain water for birds and insects.

Use as a symbol

This plant is used as the symbol to represent the People's National Movement Political Party of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as by the Martinique Progressive Party (Parti Progressiste Martiniquais) of the French Overseas Department of Martinique, in the West Indies.

References

• Template:Pt icon Lorenzi, H.; Souza, M.S. (2001) Plantas Ornamentais no Brasil: arbustivas, herbáceas e trepadeiras. Plantarum ISBN 85-86714-12-7

External links

• Template:Fr icon Heliconia bihai
• Template:Pt icon Checklist das Plantas do Nordeste (Checklist of Plants of Northeast Brazil): Heliconia bihai