Family: Heliconiaceae

Heliconia rostrata is an herbaceous perennial plant native to Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, and naturalized in Puerto Rico. It is mostly used as an ornamental plant. It is said to have antimicrobial properties that can help with various ailments. This plant was traditionally used in folk medicine to cure jaundice, intestinal pain, diabetes and hypertension. This plant has not been documented as naturalized in any Hawaiian Islands to date.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Possibly naturalized in Puerto Rico, and other locations
  
• Other species have become invasive
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds and rhizomes
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
  
• Able to resprout from rhizomes after cutting or pruning

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Fruit and seeds rarely produced in cultivation; may limit ability to be dispersed long distances
  
• Requires specialized pollinators (hummingbirds) which may limit seed set in areas lacking hummingbirds