Heliconia psittacorum marginata

A hybrid between two tropical American heliconias, this perennial herb forms clumps from underground rhizomes. Broad, banana-like leaves rise above upright flowering stems. Cultivated forms produce colorful bracts in shades of red, pink, yellow and orange, sheltering smaller flowers. The cross includes garden selections grown for tropical landscaping and cut flowers. Clumps can be divided to produce new plants. It thrives in warm conditions with ample moisture. Photographed in the department of Santander, Colombia.