The Zingerberales Heliconias and Friends at Andromeda

1
The Zingerberales (Heliconias and Friends) at
Andromeda A sample of some of the blooms from
this family which may be found at Andromeda
Heliconia psittacorum x H. spathocircinata cv.
Golden Torch
Heliconia mariae cv. Beefsteak
Heliconia rostrata
Heliconia stricta cv. Iris Bannochie
Heliconia bihai cv. Lobster Claw
Heliconia caribaea x H. bihai cv. Jacquinii

• The order Zingerberales is made up of eight plant
  families, these are
• Musaceae (the bananas)
• Strelitziaceae (the birds-of-paradise)
• Lowiaceae
• Heliconiaceae (the heliconias)
• Zingiberaceae (the gingers)
• Costaceae (costus)
• Cannaceae (the cannas)
• Marantaceae (the prayer plants)
• Many of the plants in the Zingerberales are very
  important in landscaping and in the cut-flower
  industry.

Heliconia metallica
Canna sp. Canna Lilly
Calathea sp. Prayer PLant
Cannas add a burst of colour to any
landscape Plants in the genus Calathea in the
Marantaceae, are called Prayer Plants because
they raise their leaves towards the sky at
night.Calatheas, with their beautiful foliage and
high shade tolerance, also make great indoor
plants.
Heliconias are grown mainly for their colorful
bracts (not their small flowers within the
bract)..Several heliconias flower throughout the
year. Heliconia blooms may last more than two
weeks in floral arrangements.
Alpinia purpurata Red Ginger
Etlingera elatior Pink Torch Ginger
Musa ornata Ornamental Banana
Alpinia zerumbet Pink Shell Ginger
Strelitzia reginae Bird-of-Paradise
The red ginger lilly (Alpinia purpurata) is a
mainstay in the cut flower industry in
Barbados.Close relatives of the ornamental
gingers are grown for their roots, which are used
as a pungent spice for flavoring beverages and
foodstuffs.
Ravenela madagascariensis Travelers Palm
Bananas are among the Worlds most popular
tropical fruits Dramatic Travelers palms (in the
Strelitziaceae), add character to any garden.The
leafstalk of these palms yield a clear watery sap
reputedly used as an emergency source of water
for thirsty travelers.
Costus speciosus Stepladder Plant