Family: Heliconiaceae
Common name: False bird-of-paradise, Lobster-claws, Hanging lobster claws, Parrot beaks, Hanging parrot beaks, Toucan beak, Wild plantains, Fishtail Heliconia
False bird of paradise is one of the most beautiful and unique plants of the Heliconia species. a species of simple plants with brilliantly shaped flowers that are unique and eye-catching. There are close to 200 species of Heliconias growing in all parts of the world, mostly grown as ornamental plants because of their vivid red, yellow, pink, orange, and green flowers.
Plant Characteristics
False Bird of Paradise plants can grow to a height of 1.2-2 meters with a long, slender, tube-like stem that is formed by tightly packed leaf sheaths. Leaves are very similar to those of Canna or Bird of paradise plants; long, glossy, like small banana leaves.
The leaves are dark green, about 50-100 cm long with a very prominent mid-vein and smooth margin. Leaves might tear during heavy winds or rain, but this does not affect the plant in any way.
But once they start flowering, the plants are true eye-catchers, lighting up your garden with their bright red inflorescence.
These brightly-colored parts of the False Bird of Paradise plants are actually overgrown bracts, with the actual flowers peeping out from inside them. These bracts are bright red with yellow-green tips. The entire inflorescence is 60-90 cm long and each individual bract is about 15-20 cm long.
The actual flowers are small, tubular, yellowish or greenish-white in color, and hidden inside the bracts.
Their bright coloring attracts bats, bees, and butterflies, but the shape of the flowers restricts the number of species that can pollinate these plants. Some species of birds use the leaves of Heliconia plants to make tents.
Flowers are very long-lasting and are hence used in cut flower arrangements. They stay for many weeks on the plant, multiple hanging chandeliers adorning the plant in all its glory, during spring and summer.
These flowers later produce small, rounded, capsule-like fruits that can turn deep purple when they ripen.
Gardening Tips
False Bird of Paradise plants grow well in bright direct sunlight, though they can also grow in the partial shade of large trees. They prefer the moist humid weather of tropical and subtropical regions, thriving in home gardens parks, and landscaped areas.
These plants make excellent hedge plants because their foliage grows quite thick and the hedge looks absolutely beautiful during the flowering season.
They need regular watering and fertilization for the plants to grow and flower well. But most plants can even fend for themselves in areas with high rainfall.
Pruning can be done after the flowering season to remove any dry or yellowing branches.
These plants are very pest-resistant and hence do not need any pesticide application.
False Bird of Paradise plants can be grown in flower beds or in pots, but remember that since they belong to the ginger species, their roots can grow very quickly and fill the pot after which they need to be reported.
The big clump of roots can be divided at this point to make multiple plants.
When grown in flower beds, these plants can grow and spread very quickly, making thick clumps of plants. They’re excellent for home gardens since they require very little care and maintenance, and can instantly give your garden a tropical vibe.
Uses of False Bird of Paradise
False Bird of Paradise plants are mostly grown as ornamental plants because of their bright, beautiful, pendulous flowers.
They make good hedge or border plants and can spread quickly using their rhizomatous stems. These plants are good for attracting pollinators like butterflies, bees, insects, and small birds into the garden.
Cut flowers are long-lasting and are hence used in flower arrangements. Since Heliconias have large leaves, they are sometimes used to wrap food items.
Propagation
Propagation is through root rhizomes.
These plants grow out of rhizomes like Canna, and can spread over an area, producing small plants all around the parent plants.
Photographed at: Thrissur, Kings Flora Organic Farm Resort, Wayanad.
