Heliconia, derived from the Greek word helikonios, is a genus of about 100 to 200 species of flowering plants native to the tropical Americas and the Pacific Ocean islands west to Indonesia. Many species of Heliconia are found in rainforests or tropical wet forests of these regions. Common names for the genus include lobster-claws, wild plantains or false bird-of-paradise. The last term refers to their close similarity to the bird-of-paradise flowers (Strelitzia). Collectively, these plants are also simply referred to as heliconias. wikipedia
And I think the park had just about every variety of them! Reds, oranges, burgundies, yellow…and the shapes? They varied a great deal as well. Marvelously diverse tropical plants.
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Images by T.Dashfield Photography 
I like the colour burst. I was thinking this was a kind of bird of paradise plant. Thanks for the educative commentary.
You are most welcome 🙂 They do resemble the BOP’s in some ways. I should find the photo I have of one and post it.
Wow this is one unusual looking flower. Way cool! And great photo too!
Thanks! And there were so many different shapes there it was mind boggling.
I’ve seen that plant somewhere before…
Uh huh 🙂
They are beautiful in a weird sort of way and they almost look edible.
Edible???? Not seeing that one. If you think these look almost edible you should see the ones that look like crab claws lol
Very cool! I assume the name comes from the spiral formation?
Haven’t the foggiest idea 🙂 But they do come in a lot of different shapes.
I’ve seen many heliconia but had no idea there were over 100 species. That must have been some walk in the park, Teri. 🙂
It is a nice sized park and we didn’t even see all of it. Got a bit turned around on a couple of the paths 🙂