heliconia

noun

hel·​i·​co·​nia ˌhe-lə-ˈkō-nē-ə How to pronounce heliconia (audio)
-nyə
: any of a genus (Heliconia of the family Heliconiaceae) of perennial herbs of tropical America and islands of the western Pacific having showy brightly colored bracts and large leaves

Examples of heliconia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Curl up in a hammock on your casita's terrace and take in the sights and sounds of the jungle canopy, from brightly colored bougainvillea and heliconia flowers to toucans and hummingbirds. House Beautiful, 16 June 2023 Indonesian wax ginger, birds of paradise, and a bodacious heliconia bring instant aloha to your lover’s heart. Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 12 Feb. 2020 The Look: Tropicalia Versatile anthurium, heliconia, calla lilies, and cone ginger are your friends here, and feel free to lean on Monstera, banana leaves, and Alocasia for greenery. Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 12 Feb. 2020 Orange / Yellow Indonesian wax ginger, birds of paradise, and a bodacious heliconia bring instant aloha to your lover’s heart. Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 12 Feb. 2020 Burle Marx discovered almost 50 species, including bromeliads, philodendrons, heliconias and calatheas. Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 8 July 2019 Stretching over three acres, the labyrinthine path is nearly two and a half miles of more than 14,000 colorful Hawaiian plants, including hibiscus, croton, heliconia and more. Brynn Mannino, Woman's Day, 30 Sep. 2010 Situated on a cleared bluff, the two-story wooden and glass-sided lodge was surrounded by flowering plants—poinsettias, anthuriums, heliconias, and ferns—and had a breathtaking view over the descending hills to the sea. Jon Lee Anderson, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2018 Eight years of construction resulted in 22 acres of riotously verdant grounds (frangipani, ginger lily, heliconia, and hibiscus) and a hotel blessedly free of pretension. Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heliconia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, ultimately from Greek Helikōnios, from Helikōn Helicon, mountain in Greece

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heliconia was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near heliconia

Cite this Entry

“Heliconia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heliconia. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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