Heliconia bihai (red palulu) of the family Heliconiaceae is an erect herb typically growing taller than 1.5 m. It is native to northern South America and the West Indies. It is especially common in northern Brazil and the Guianas but also found in Hispaniola, Jamaica, the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Venezuela and Colombia.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Heliconia bihai Checklist das Plantas do Nordeste (Checklist of Plants of Northeast Brazil): Heliconia bihai Other names by which the plant is commonly known include balisier"HELICONIACEAE Heliconia bihai" at Plants For Use. and macawflower.
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. Lorenzi, H.; Souza, M. S. (2001) Plantas Ornamentais no Brasil: arbustivas, herbáceas e trepadeiras. Plantarum
This upward facing flower of the genus Heliconia, 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
External links
Heliconia bihai observations on iNaturalist