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Heliconia family
Heliconiaceae
ヘリコニア科
A monotypic family (single genus) distributed in tropical America and Pacific islands. Comprises about 200 species in genus Heliconia. Known for colorful bracts and widely cultivated as ornamentals. Especially famous for coevolution with hummingbirds.
Key Characteristics
- ●Large leaves resembling banana plants
- ●Bracts are vividly red, orange, or yellow
- ●Flowers are arranged in rows inside the bracts
- ●Specialized for hummingbird pollination
Morphological Traits
A family may include species with different trait values — multiple values indicate the range within the family.
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Entire
Growth form
Herb
Evergreen/Deciduous
Deciduous
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Zygomorphic
Petal count
6 petals
Ovary position
Inferior
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Monocots > Zingiberales > Heliconiaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (about 60–50 million years ago)
Representative Genera
Related Evolution Events
- ・Diversification of bracts through tight coevolution with hummingbirds
- ・Phylogenetic isolation as a monotypic family in tropical America
Plants in Heliconia family on this site
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