Family: Heliconiaceae
Heliconia bihai (red palulu, lobster claw) is a perennial rhizomatous herb native to northern South America and the West Indies. This plant is an ornamental plant in hot and humid climates. This plant serves as the emblem symbolizing the People’s National Movement political party in Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, it is adopted by the Martinique Progressive Party (Parti Progressiste Martiniquais) in the French Overseas Department of Martinique, situated in the West Indies. It is reported to be naturalized along the Hana Highway in Maui. Despite its naturalization and history of cultivation, negative impacts have not been documented in the Hawaiian Islands.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives, and can spread, in regions with tropical climates.
- Naturalized on Maui (Hawaiian Islands)
- Reported to rapidly invade and colonize open and disturbed areas (corroboration needed)
- Other species are potentially invasive.
- Shade tolerant
- Reported to form dense monocultures (uncorroborated)
- Reproduces by seeds and rhizomes.
- Self-Compatible
- Able to hybridize with other species.
- Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people.
- Seeds able to be stored for extended periods; May form a persistent seed bank.
- Able to resprout from rhizomes after cutting or pruning.
Low Risk Traits:
- Despite naturalization and history of cultivation, negative impacts not documented in the Hawaiian Islands.
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Non-toxic
- Requires specialized pollinators (hummingbirds) which may limit seed set in areas lacking hummingbirds.
- Herbicides may provide effective control.
