The Spanish and English informational sign below is from the La Azotea cultural center near Antigua Guatemala.
HELICONIA LATISPATHA
Heliconiceae Pico de gallo
Otros nombres: Hoja de bijague
Originaria de Centro America, se da en color amaillo, anaranjado y rojo.
Pariente del banano pero no produce fruta.
Hojas modificadas muy coloridas se desarollan en forma curvacea para acomodar los picos de los colibris que los polinizan.
Las hojas se usan para envolver tamales.
Lobster Claw
Other name: Wild plantain
Native of Central America comes in yellow, orange and red varieties.
Relative of banana but does not produce fruit.
Brightly colored modified leaves evolve curved shape to fit the beaks of humming birfs that pollinate them.
Leaves are used to wrap Guatemalan tamales.
