Expanded lobster-claw
Heliconia latispatha

Family: Heliconiaceae

What it is like

A large herb. It grows 4 m tall. The flowering shoots are erect and 45 cm long. The flowers are green, yellow or orange. They have red or orange bracts around them.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the moist lowlands. Cairns Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hawaii, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Peru, SE Asia, South America, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bidu, Platanilla, Plantanillo

Synonyms

Bihai latispatha (Benth.) Griggs; Heliconia aequatoriensis Loes.;