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Currently Viewing: Heliconia wagneriana
Heliconia wagneriana - Clump with multiple inflorescences
Peter Goltra
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Taxonomy:
Heliconia wagneriana Peterson (Heliconiaceae)

Alternative Botanical Name:
Heliconia elongata

Common Name:
Heliconia

Classification:

Heliconia wagneriana Peterson
Kingdom: Plantae-Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta-Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta-Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta-Flowering plants
Class: Liliopsida-Monocotyledons
Subclass: Zingiberidae
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Heliconiaceae-Heliconia family
Genus: Heliconia L.- Heliconia
Species: Heliconia wagneriana Peterson
(National Plant Database. 2004.)

Description:
The flowers of this species are actually highly modified leaves and bracts in the shapes of a lobster claws.
Heliconia wagneriana has a height of 5' to 15' and a long blooming season from January to September. The bracts are somewhat variable, bright red areas cover most of the cheek and it is surrounded by pale green along the lip keel and tip with yellow areas at the base. Foliage is banana like with waxy white coating on stems and lower midrib.

Geographic Distribution:
Heliconia wagneriana is widely cultivated throughout Central America.

Status:
Although Heliconias flourish in the humid lowland tropics at elevations below 1500 feet, surprisingly, the greatest number of species are found in middle elevation rain and cloud forest habitats.
The most remarkable members of the genus inhabit open sites in secondary growth along roads, riverbanks and in patches of light in the forest.
(Kepler, A. K. 1999. Exotic Tropicals of Hawaii.)

Species Interconnections and Interdependencies:
In the American Tropics, hummingbirds are the exclusive polinators of red, yellow , pink and orange heliconias while nectar feeding bats are the polinators of green heliconias.
(Kepler, A. K. 1999. Exotic Tropicals of Hawaii.)

Preservation and Conservation Strategies:
Heliconias have become increasingly popular as decorative flowers, especially in those regions where they cannot be grown in the garden.
Heliconia are grown for their beautiful, brilliant colorful flowering bracts. They require bright light and are heavy feeders of any well balanced fertilizer.
(Kepler, A. K. 1999. Exotic Tropicals of Hawaii.)

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