Heliconias: Dramatic Flowers of the Tropics and Subtropics

Abstract

AbstractHeliconias have long been popular horticulturally because of their showy inflorescences. Owing to their exotic shape and unusual posture, early explorers of the tropics introduced them to Europe with several species that became prized greenhouse specimens. They originally were classified as species of bananas because of their similar foliage. In 1771, Linnaeus established the new genus Heliconia, naming it after Helicon, a mountain in Greece, the home of Apollo and the muses. In tropical America, Heliconias are often called “wild bananas” or “tropical kings”; locally, they are often referred to as “false birds of paradise.” They are monophyletic genus comprises of about 380 species with high ornamental potential. Some controversy exists over the taxonomic status of this crop. The identification of genotypes mainly based on morphological characteristics generated synonyms, but it’s possible to differentiate genotypes and elucidate the origin of hybrids and triploids of Heliconia by means of chromosome counting, base-specific fluorochrome staining such as CMA (chromomycin A3) and DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), and FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization). On the other hand, self-incompatibility (SI) is prominent in some populations of Central American Heliconia. The availability of long-distance pollinators (hummingbirds) and low daily flower output may promote outcrossing despite the scarcity of physiological self-incompatibility in these plants. Conclusively, based on variability and diversity study, few genotypes, viz., H. psittacorum × H. spathocircinata cv. ‘Golden Torch,’ H. psittacorum var. ‘Choconiana,’ H. psittacorum var. ‘Lady Di,’ and H. rostrata, found to be promising under Indian condition and may be considered as potential parents in future breeding program.Keywords Heliconia TaxonomyOriginSelf-incompatibility (SI)DiversityBreeding