Red Caribaea Heliconia, the largest of the Heliconiaceae. Hana Maui Botanical Gardens, east Maui.

Red Caribaea (Heliconia caribaea) originated in the rain forests of Jamaica and Puerto Rico. It is one of the largest heliconias in the world. Hawaii's major export supply of Red Caribaea is grown in the Nahiku-Hana region. Hana Maui Botanical Gardens.

The blossom of this Red Caribaea Heliconia (Heliconia caribaea) has eight pairs of bracts and is more than 70 cm long. Hana Maui Botanical Garden, east Maui. The huge cup-like bracts (petals) of the Red Caribaea heliconia often collect large quantities of water, plant debris, and insects after one of the numerous tropical downpours in this part of the island.

Heliconia caribaea; blossom of six pairs of bracts is about 40 cm long. Hana Maui Botanical Gardens.

Immature bud of a Red Caribaea Heliconia (Heliconia caribaea) originated in the rain forests of Jamaica and Puerto Rico. It is one of the largest heliconias in the world. Hawaii's major export supply of Red Caribaea is grown in the Nahiku-Hana region. Hana Maui Botanical Gardens.

Heliconia bihai, Hana Maui Botanical Garden, east Maui.

Heliconia bihai, Hana Maui Botanical Garden, east Maui.

The Common Lobster Claw Heliconia (Heliconia bihai) was originally from Trinidad and Brazil, but became so common on Maui that it is considered to be naturalized. Commonly seen along most of the foot trails and side roads branching off of the Hana Highway.

Jacquinii Lobster Claw Heliconia (Heliconia bihai). Hana Maui Botanical Garden, east Maui.

Close-up of Yellow Caribea Heliconia, Hana Maui Botanical Gardens, east Maui.

"Sexy Pink" variety of Heliconia (Heliconia chartacea),Hana Maui Botanical Garden, east Maui.

A Hanging Lobster Claw Heliconia (Heliconia rostrata) with eight pairs of bracts and a flower head more than 50 cm long! Hana Maui Botanical Gardens.

Hanging Lobster Claw Heliconia (Heliconia rostrata) is a native of Argentina and Peru that blooms in the summer. Flower head is about 30 cm long. The small yellow "tongue" peeking out of the red and yellow bract is the true flower. Lower Nahiku Road, Nahiku, east Maui.

A New Pink Heliconia (Heliconia colgantea), a variety discovered in the last 30 years. Hana Maui Botanical Gardens, east Maui.

Hanging Lobster Claw Heliconia (Heliconia rostrata) is a native of Argentina and Peru that blooms in the summer. Flower head is about 30 cm long. The small yellow "tongue" peeking out of the red and yellow bract is the true flower. Hana Maui Botanical Gardens, east Maui.

Parrot's Beak Heliconia (Heliconia psitticorum), Hana Maui Botanical Garden, east Maui.

Parrot's Beak Heliconia (Heliconia psitticorum), Hana Maui Botanical Garden, east Maui.

Parrot's Beak Heliconia (Heliconia psitticorum), Waikamoi Ridge, near the Hana Highway, east Maui.

Parrot's Beak Heliconia (Heliconia psitticorum), Hana Maui Botanical Garden, east Maui.

Golden Torch Heliconia (Heliconia adrian), Hana Maui Botanical Garden, east Maui.

Parrot's Beak Heliconia (Heliconia psitticorum), Hana Maui Botanical Garden, east Maui.

Parrot's Beak Heliconia (Heliconia psitticorum), near Mile Marker 14 on the Hana Highway, east Maui. H. psitticorum is a small, low-growing ground cover that tolerates dry weather and soil better than other varieties of Heliconia.