False plantain
Heliconia bihai

Family: Heliconiaceae

What it is like

A herb which forms rhizomes or underground stems. It can be 5 m tall. It has a clump of banana like stems. The leaves often have red veins. They can be 1.8 m long. The flowering stalk is upright and long. There can be 20 bracts. The bracts are bright red with green along the edge. The fruit are blue.

There are about 200 Heliconia species. There is only one genus in the Heliconiaceae family. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical places in America. It needs a fertile, humus rich soil. It suits plant hardiness zones 10-12. Cairns Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Antilles, Asia, Australia, Belize, Caribbean (country/location of origin), Central America, Dominican Republic (country/location of origin), Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti (country/location of origin), Hawaii, Marquesas, Mexico, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Suriname, USA, Venezuela, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable. The rhizomes are a source of starch. The seeds are eaten.

Edible parts

Shoots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Jacquinii Heliconia, Lobster-claw, Macaw flower, Plantanillo, "Wild banana"

Synonyms

Heliconia aurea G. Rodriguez; Heliconia distans Griggs; Heliconia jacquinii Barreiros; Heliconia purpurea Griggs; Heliconia schaeferiana G. Rodriguez; Bihai bihai (L.) Griggs; Musa bihai L.; Possibly hybridised with Heliconia caribaea