Heliconia latispatha (expanded lobsterclaw)[2] is a plant species native to southern Mexico (Tabasco, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche), Central America and northern South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru) and naturalized in Florida and Jamaica.[1] It is an herbaceous perennial up to 4 m tall, with leaves resembling those of bananas. The inflorescence is erect, up to 45 cm long, with red or orange bracts subtending green, yellow or orange flowers.[3][4]

Heliconia latispatha
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Heliconiaceae
Genus: Heliconia
Species:
H. latispatha
Binomial name
Heliconia latispatha
Synonyms[1]
  • Bihai latispatha (Benth.) Griggs
  • Heliconia aequatoriensis Loes.

References edit

  1. ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Heliconia latispatha
  2. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Heliconia latispatha". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  3. ^ Flora of North America v 22, Heliconia latispatha
  4. ^ George Bentham. 1846. Botany of the Voyage of H.M.S. Sulphur 170–171, Heliconia latispatha .

External links edit