Heliconia caribaea

Lam. (1785)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Zingiberales Family: Heliconiaceae Genus: Heliconia

lobster claw

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Description

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Historical Distribution

Images

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Only found in cultivation

Island Status

O'ahu Only found in cultivation

Dispersal Agents

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Vegetative Reproduction

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Specimens

Bibliography

Name Published In: Encycl. 1: 426 (1785)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Heliconia caribaea Ahupuaa of Kaipapau. Northern Koolau mountains. Growing in lowland mesic-wet forest intermixed with Pandanus tectorius, Psidium cattleianum, Ardisia crenata, Christella dentata, and other exotics Preserved_Specimen Plants over 2 m tall. None with fresh flowers, mostly brown dried infloresences. One huge patch forming clumps along the stream and in side valleys. Probably an old planted area that is continuously expanding. Thomas, M.K. 982 Oahu BISH 2025-02-04
2 Heliconia caribaea Waimanalo Forest Reserve, near trailhead on the Waikupanaha side of trail. Shady mesic understory plant. Associated; Citharexylum spinosum, Citharexylum caudatum, Ptychosperma macarthurii, Pimenta dioica, Heptapleurum actinophyllum, Chrysophyllum oliviforme, Macaranga tanarius. Preserved_Specimen Flowers bright crimson red, underside of leaves with easily rubbed off white waxy coating. Clump had 2 flowering stems and 2 newly emerging stems. Plant 2 m tall. Arthur, K. 100 Oahu BISH 2025-05-22
3 Heliconia caribaea Pacific Heights area; 3251 Pacific Heights Road In partial shade. Preserved_Specimen Clump-forming herb 3 m tall; infl. bracts lemon yellow to canary yellow. Lau, J. 1779 Oahu BISH 1985-12-26
4 Heliconia caribaea Pacific Heights area; 3251 Pacific Heights Road In partial shade. Preserved_Specimen Clump-forming herb 3 m tall; infl. bracts lemon yellow to canary yellow. Lau, J. 1779 Oahu BISH 1985-12-26
5 Heliconia caribaea Lyon Arboretum, just past sign to Economic Collection, on left when facing uphill Preserved_Specimen Bracts red with orange along the margins nearest the inflorescence axis. Kirchoff, B.K. 91270 Oahu BISH 1991-06-07
6 Heliconia caribaea Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden Preserved_Specimen (Red form). Plant to ca. 18'; leaf sheaths, abaxial side opf lvs & lowest bract covered w/wax; bracts red; sepals white, petals green. Kirchoff, B.K. 89234 Oahu BISH 1989-05-24
7 Heliconia caribaea Moanalua Valley, ~277 m. ma uka from Moanalua District Park. Shady understory mesic forest 1 plant seen. Heliconias rostrata also present. Aleurites moluccanus, Psidium cattleyanum, Syzygium cuminii, Schinus terebinthifolius Preserved_Specimen Arthur, K. 78 Oahu BISH 2025-02-28
8 Heliconia caribaea Lyon Arboretum, just past sign to Economic Collection, on left when facing uphill Preserved_Specimen Bracts red with orange along the margins nearest the inflorescence axis. Kirchoff, B.K. 91270 Oahu BISH 1991-06-07
9 Heliconia caribaea Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden Preserved_Specimen (Red form). Plant to ca. 18'; leaf sheaths, abaxial side opf lvs & lowest bract covered w/wax; bracts red; sepals white, petals green. Kirchoff, B.K. 89234 Oahu BISH 1989-05-24