Heliconia montana

Native to the western slopes of Colombia’s central Andes, this rhizomatous perennial herb inhabits humid forest interiors and margins. Leafy shoots have green false stems marked with red to purplish spots and narrow elliptical leaves with light green undersides. Erect inflorescences bear seven to nine slender, red or orange bracts, sometimes with green tips. Yellow flowers become curved as they open. The smooth yellow immature fruits turn blue when ripe. Photographed in Colombia.