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Conservation Status
IUCN: not evaluated
USFWS: None
Family: HELICONIACEAE Genus: Heliconia Species: chartacea Species Author: Lane ex. Barreiros
It is a herbaceous plant, with large oblong leaves like those of its relative the banana. It can grow up to 7 m in height, and plants can form large clumps with age. The inflorescences are pendulous. Variety meeana has golden green bracts, whereas those of the cultivar 'Sexy pink' are pink shading to yellow and pale green at the margins. The fruits are blue-black and contain 3 very hard seeds, which are capable of extended dormancy in the soil. The fruits are eaten by a variety of birds, including tanagers and thrushes.
Cite: Wikipedia
Heliconia chartacea is a species of Heliconia native to the American tropics, mainly Guiana and Brazil. It is a common upland species of disturbed sites, young secondary forest, and abandoned cultivation, and is often found near human habitation.
It is pollinated by hermit hummingbirds, whose curved beaks are well adapted to probe the curved flowers for nectar, their main food source. Some species such as the Rufous-breasted Hermit may also use the plant for nesting.
We currently have 3 herbarium specimens for Heliconia chartacea in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.
