Plant to 2 m tall. Leaves 1-2 m long, the stalks 1-1.5 m long and blades to 30 cm wide. Flower cluster erect, stalkless, the axis concealed under the 6-15 overlapping, broadly triangular 2-ranked red (occasionally maroon, yellow, cream or green) bracts which may be as long as 25 cm at the base of the cluster. Flowers white with a green tip.

West Indies

A wide selection of species and cultivars is available.

Cultivars have originated from the cross H. bihai × H. caribaea, also as selections of H. bihai, H. chartacea, H. psittacorum and H. stricta.

Source: Spencer, R. (2005). Heliconiaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.