The flowers of the genus Heliconia exist in various colours, typically through orange to yellow and red. This variety is known by the botanical name Heliconia psittacorum.

This genus is nicknamed Parrot's Beak, Parakeet Flower, and False Bird-of-paradise, though many names are often used interchangeably with other genera. Depending on the kind, Heliconia flowers may grow upward or hanging down (fig.).