Image id: 09ECU-2093

Heliconia, also popularly known as lobster-claw, wild plantain or false bird-of-paradise, is a beautiful flower with multi-color bracts and varied flower structure. The leaves resemble those of a banana plant. Heliconias are native to the tropical Americas and the Pacific Ocean islands west to Indonesia. Heliconia, formerly included in the family Musaceae, is now the only genus under Heliconiaceae. Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, near Quito, Ecuador, South America.