Sure looks like a relative of a bird of paradise flower - but it apparently isn't. Bird of paradise is in the Strelitzia family, and heliconias include a "false bird-of-paradise." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliconia
Unless I recall incorrectly, the guide told us that this plant (which she did not identify) was an ancestor of the banana. That is apparently not so. According to Wikipedia, Heliconia used to be in the same family as the banana, but it is no longer. Who says there has not been enough time for evolution to take place?
I'm surprised that there wasn't a gold-phase eyelash palm viper draped across the fruit.
Frank J · 7 December 2009
That is apparently not so. According to Wikipedia, Heliconia used to be in the same family as the banana, but it is no longer.
— Matt Young
It's still too close for Comfort. ;-)
Karen S. · 7 December 2009
Good one, Frank J!
Xavier Ninnis · 7 December 2009
Paul Burnett said:
Sure looks like a relative of a bird of paradise flower - but it apparently isn't. Bird of paradise is in the Strelitzia family, and heliconias include a "false bird-of-paradise." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliconia
Funny, the reason I happened to click on this page was that, on my Safari browser's "Top Sites" feature (which gives a preview in miniature, of the home page of one's favorite sites), rather than flower blossoms, the picture appeared to show three Scarlet macaws (Ara macao) milling about on a branch. (Admittedly I wasn't wearing my glasses when I glanced at the picture, but my (uncorrected) vision is not that bad.)
That looks like the one in my front yard, but mine is orange and the fruits are not so big.
Laura Lagomarsino · 12 December 2009
Heliconias are related to both birds-of-paradise and bananas! All three are families in the Zingiberales. The relationship of these families to each other is still rather unclear. It is certain, however, that heliconias comprise a monophyletic group of their own.
I did a few years of research on the evolutionary history of these buggers, so it was quite a surprise finding a picture here :).
Oh Heliconia! I think I have new favorite genus. I really love the pendula and vellerigera. These are both menacing and beautiful plants, in a simpler time I would have the mariae a suitable weapon.
11 Comments
Paul Burnett · 7 December 2009
Sure looks like a relative of a bird of paradise flower - but it apparently isn't. Bird of paradise is in the Strelitzia family, and heliconias include a "false bird-of-paradise." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliconia
Matt Young · 7 December 2009
Unless I recall incorrectly, the guide told us that this plant (which she did not identify) was an ancestor of the banana. That is apparently not so. According to Wikipedia, Heliconia used to be in the same family as the banana, but it is no longer. Who says there has not been enough time for evolution to take place?
Stanton · 7 December 2009
I'm surprised that there wasn't a gold-phase eyelash palm viper draped across the fruit.
Frank J · 7 December 2009
Karen S. · 7 December 2009
Good one, Frank J!
Xavier Ninnis · 7 December 2009
snaxalotl · 8 December 2009
apparently that used to be a Louis Jordan song
edivimo · 11 December 2009
That looks like the one in my front yard, but mine is orange and the fruits are not so big.
Laura Lagomarsino · 12 December 2009
Heliconias are related to both birds-of-paradise and bananas! All three are families in the Zingiberales. The relationship of these families to each other is still rather unclear. It is certain, however, that heliconias comprise a monophyletic group of their own.
I did a few years of research on the evolutionary history of these buggers, so it was quite a surprise finding a picture here :).
Jeffery Heap · 30 December 2009
Oh Heliconia! I think I have new favorite genus. I really love the pendula and vellerigera. These are both menacing and beautiful plants, in a simpler time I would have the mariae a suitable weapon.
-Jeffery Heap
Runescape private servers · 13 August 2010
It’s still too close for Comfort. ;-)