atoll research bulletin no. 392 the flora of - Smithsonian Institution ...

PONTEDERIACEAE (Pickerel Weed Family)
Eichhornia crassipes (Mart. & Zucc.) Solms-Laub. "water hyacinth"
syns. Pontederia. crassipes Mart. & Zucc. ; Eichhornia speciosa Kunth
Recent introduction. Trop. and Subtrop. America. Rare. Usually floating,
perennial herb, up to 60 cm tall, with masses of fleshy, more or less horizontal, black
roots, rooted only at flowering time by long slender roots; leaves, up to 7 to 10 cm wide,
rounded or oblong, on bulbous air-filled petioles which act as floats; inflorescence, a
flower spike, about 40 cm long, bearing showy 6-petaled pale violet flowers, about 5 cm
in diameter, with a blue patch with a spot of bright yellow on the larger upper lobe,
about eight to a stem, rising above the leaves; some forms have pink and yellow flowers.
Water weed in Buada Lagoon and planted in tubs at Location. Commonly planted as an
ornamental; has escaped to become a serious pest in many areas of the world where it
clogs rivers and causes flooding and obstructs navigation. All parts are reportedly edible
6(255).
STRELITZIACEAE (Bird of Paradise Family)
Heliconia collinsiana R.F. Griggs "hanging heliconia" , " fish-pole heliconia"
syn. H. pendula Wawra
Recent introduction. Guatemala. Rare. Erect herb, up to 2 m tall; inflorescence,
up to 30 cm or more long, hanging, almost plastic-looking, parrot-beak-, or claw-like,
with bright red flower bracts, each 5 cm or longer, with yellow and green lower
margins, and white waxy powder. Planted ornamental. 5, 6.
Heliconia humilis (Aubl.) Jacq.
syn. Musa humilis Aubl.
" heliconia" , "lobster claw"
Recent introduction. Trop. S. America. Rare. Erect herb, less than 2 m tall;
leaves, broad, paddle-shaped, 3 to 6 in number; inflorescence, an erect flowering stalk,
up to 120 cm tall, among the leaves, bearing pointed lobster-claw-shaped bright red
flower bracts with dark green upper margins, each up to 12 cm long. Planted ornamental.
5, 6(236).