Monday, July 19, 2010

What is the scientific name of this plant (I think the common name is parrot flower)?

link to photo:


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b326/k...


also, where can I get this plant, or seeds from it?

What is the scientific name of this plant (I think the common name is parrot flower)?
this is clearly some Impatiens - (touch-me-not plant). it is NOT HELICONIA PSITTACINA.





Impatiens are pretty invasive, so if oyu have some feeling for nature and environment, PLEASE DONT have them. they produce so many seeds, grow extremely fast, spit the seeds actively at a distance, you cannot control them. the picture doesnt show the whole plant but it could be the Impatiens glandulifera as somebody suggests, and i can tell you this one has totally wiped off the wildlife on our riverbanks - it is over two metres high and spreads so fast.!!!!!!!!!!!


related to this is the balsamina - it plagues the tropical regions as alien invasive. pease dont have them, you will not be able to contain them. Especially if there is a river or brook nearby..
Reply:HELICONIA PSITTACORUM - PARROT'S BEAK.





Common name: parrot's beak, parrot's flower, parrot's plant, parrot's tonque, popokaytongo.


Family: musaceae.





A herbaceous upright small heliconia, indigenous to the Amazon rainforest growing up to no more than four feet tall.


The parrot's beaks are exotic, abundantly bloomers all year long.


The orange - red bracts arise from a central point on the stem.


The long pointed leaves are shiny green with a red edge.


The flowers have 戮 to 1 inch long penduncles that rise above the pointed bracts.


The orange - red flower bracts have a dark spot at the end.


Parrot's tonques are polinated in Suriname by hummingbirds.


The psittacorums are very suitable for cut flower arrangements.


They will last from one to three weeks in water.





Hardiness: USDA zone 9 - 11.


Propagation: rhizomes and seeds.


Culture: sun / light shade.


Protects from frost; damage below 40掳 F.


Needs lot of water but the soil should be well drained, rich and moist soil is needed as well, high humidity.


Plant in frost free spots or areas; can also be planted in the greenhouse.


Optimum temperature range is 60掳 - 78掳 F.


Psittacorum are, to some degree, winter hardy.





There are some seeds at this site:


http://seedrack.com/05.html
Reply:Impatiens glandufera, Balsaminaceae





grows near creeks and now is flowering season, friut contains the seeds but it explode when touched expelling the seeds.
Reply:I think the the "parrot flower" name is misleading. There are many plants by that name, most of them are nothing like the picture you posted, and the internet is rife with errors propagated by well-meaning people.


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