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Definition of heliconia

heliconia

/ˌhɛl.ɪˈkoʊ.ni.ə/
hel · i · co · ni · a
Plural:heliconias
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heliconia Lexical Profile

heliconia Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of various tropical plants of the genus Heliconia, native primarily to the tropical Americas and the Pacific Ocean islands, characterized by their large leaves and striking, brightly colored bracts.

Example

"The botanical garden featured a spectacular collection of heliconias, displaying vibrant red and yellow bracts that resembled lobster claws."

2

The dramatic, structural inflorescence of a heliconia plant, highly valued in exotic and tropical floral arrangements.

Example

"She created a stunning tropical centerpiece utilizing a single, bold heliconia paired with monstera leaves."

• Rhymes for heliconia

• Nearby Words

helianthus
helical
helichrysum
heliconia
helicopter
helideck
heliopsis

Word Origin & Etymology

Named by Carl Linnaeus in 1771 after Mount Helicon in central Greece, the mythical home of the Muses. The name was chosen because the plant is closely related to bananas (genus Musa, sharing a namesake with the Muses).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Heliconia. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/heliconia
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