	Carla's Heliconia Garden

Heliconias

NAME

Heliconia necrobracteata

It's over the hill before it even gets started.

If you can overlook the dead bits, it isn't a bad looking heliconia (said by a true heliconia lover).

Being in the same group as trichocarpa and colgantea, necrobracteata shares many of their characteristics.

H. necrobractea is a big plant that grows strongly from rhizomes, in my limited experience.

habit: musoid
height: 5-6 meters
leaf blade: 140 centimeters
leaf blade: 250-32 L - W in centimeters
color notes: leaves dark green above, light green below, light petiole below
stems per clump: many
comment: lower leaf petiole distinctly raised

form: pendant
orientation: spiral
bract color: red
rachis: dark red
number of bracts: 10-12
overall length: 90 centimeters
bract size: 12-3.5 L - W in centimeters
flower color: yellow
flower form: curved to s-curved
ovary: yellow
comment: bracts are necrotic before the inflorescence is even open, reaching about 75% rotted when fully developed

accession number: 2005-01-29-01
location: Panama, Cocle province, El Valle, Cerro Gaital, Finca # 2, Gil family
elevation: 1040 meters
climate: Cloud forest on the continental divide, without distinct dry season
soil type: medium loam 6.5pH
shade percent: 30-50, lux 100 %
habitat notes: Forest is heavily laden with moss and other epiphytes; growing in flat and sloped areas
common at this location: yes
associated species: three Chamandorea, H. lennartiana, H. ramonensis var. xanthotricha, Cyclantacea, Clusia, Psychotria