Tropical Plant Database - Plant Details

Heliconia mariae is a very tall plant that can reach up to 23 inches in height. The musoid (banana-like leaves) boat shaped leaves bow to 18 inches and have a maroon tint along the lower midrib. This is a spectacular and bizarre Heliconia known for its pendent inflorescences that are very compact, large and very long, 18 inches to 2 feet long. They are composed of 45 to 65 blood red bracts, arranged in two opposing rows (distichous) and resembling a beefsteak. The rachis is red to yellow and the true flowers that are emerging from the bracts have sepals that are rose-red at the tip and white at the base.
(Kepler, A. K. 1999. Exotic Tropicals of Hawaii.)
(Berry, Fred and Kress, W.J. 1991. Heliconia: An Identification Guide.)

The pendent Heliconias are among the most beautiful and exotic of all tropical flowers. With their long lasting inflorescence they are a wonderful choice as cut flowers for large arrangements and they make excellent specimen plants in the tropical garden.

(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)

This distinctive Heliconia is a native of Central America.
(Kepler, A. K. 1999. Exotic Tropicals of Hawaii.)
(Berry, Fred and Kress, W.J. 1991. Heliconia: An Identification Guide.)

We currently have 3 herbarium specimens for Heliconia mariae in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.

• 008617 - collected by W. J. Kress in 1990
• 008616 - collected by W. J. Kress in 1990
• 008607 - collected by W. J. Kress in 1990