The main difference between heliconia and bird of paradise is that heliconia refers to a genus of flowering plants in the monotypic family Heliconiaceae while bird of paradise refers to five different species of plants belonging to the genus Strelitzia of the family Strelitziaceae.
Heliconia and bird of paradise are two plants with similar appearances. Both produce vibrant flowers and are used as ornamental plants. In fact, heliconia is sometimes known as false bird of paradise.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Heliconia
– Definition, Features
2. What is Bird of Paradise
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Heliconia and Bird of Paradise
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Heliconia and Bird of Paradise
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Bird of Paradise, Heliconia
What is Heliconia
Heliconia is a genus of flowering plants in the monotypic family Heliconiaceae. Most species of these plants are native to the tropical Americas. Some species are also commonly cultivated as ornamental plants. Moreover, some common names for the heliconia include toucan beak, wild plantain, lobster-claws, or false bird of paradise.
Heliconia leaves have a paddle shape, and there is a leaf structure at the base of a flower. We call this a bract. Bracts can be purple, red, orange, pink, green, or a mixture of these colors. The flowers of this plant are very small and occur inside bracts, which are colorful and large. In fact, Heliconia flowers are almost hidden by large bracts. This protects the flowers as only specialized birds can reach the nectar of the flowers. While some species of heliconia have upright facing flowers, some have flowers dangling down from the main stem.
What is Bird of Paradise
Bird of Paradise refers to five different species of plants belonging to the genus Strelitzia of the family Strelitziaceae. These plants are native to South Africa. They are named as such due to their resemblance to the birds, birds-of-paradise. They are also known as crane flowers. Furthermore, bird of paradise plants can be grouped into smaller and more specific categories with their species names.
The five species of bird of paradise have a similar appearance, resembling a bird. The most common species are Strelitzia reginae and Strelitzia nicolai. Moreover, the flowers of these plants can take red, orange, yellow, or white colors. The flowers occur in a horizontal inflorescence. In addition, the leaves of the plant are very broad and long and similar to banana leaves. Their size makes them more prone to tear; this is why the older bird of paradise plants have leaves with rips. Mature leaves are also robust and glossy. Also, leaves emerge from a cluster of stems closely packed together in the soil. Although these plants are large, they grow well indoors and can produce colorful flowers under proper care. In fact, Strelitzia reginae and Strelitzia nicolai are popular as houseplants.
Similarities Between Heliconia and Bird of Paradise
- Both heliconia and bird of paradise have a similar appearance.
- Moreover, they are used as ornamental plants.
Difference Between Heliconia and Bird of Paradise
Definition
Heliconia refers to a genus of flowering plants in the monotypic family Heliconiaceae while Bird of Paradise refers to five different species of plants belonging to the genus Strelitzia of the family Strelitziaceae.
Family
While Heliconia belongs to the family Heliconiaceae, the bird of paradise belongs to the family Strelitziaceae.
Native to
Most Heliconia species are native to the tropical Americas, while the bird of paradise species are mainly native to South Africa.
Flowers
Moreover, heliconia flowers vary according to different species. Some species have upright-facing flowers, while some have flowers dangling down from the main stem. Bird of paradise, on the other hand, resemble bird-of-paradise birds.
Conclusion
The main difference between heliconia and bird of paradise is that heliconia refers to a genus of flowering plants in the monotypic family Heliconiaceae while Bird of Paradise refers to five different species of plants belonging to the genus Strelitzia of the family Strelitziaceae.
Reference:
1. “Heliconia.” Rainforest Alliance, 9 July 2021.
2. Boren, Christina, et al. “Is a Bird of Paradise a Banana Tree? A Palm? A Heliconia?” The Healthy Houseplant, 4 Sept. 2021.
Image Courtesy:
1. “False Bird-of-paradise (Heliconia acuminata) (28283687409)” By Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE – False Bird-of-paradise (Heliconia acuminata) (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Strelitzia larger” By Scott Bauer, USDA – released by the Agricultural Research Service, the research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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