Uses: They are useful ornaments and shade providers to people, grazing cattle, and crops (namely coffee plantations). They have a reddish-brown wood that is lightweight and water-resistent, often used for doors, windows, furniture, cabinets, and ships. In Costa Rica, the seeds are used for jewelry. Its strong roots, fast growth (over a meter in its first year of life), and plentiful seeds make it a perfect candidate for reforestation initiatives. It is the national tree of Costa Rica.

Characteristics: 

The Heliconia collinsiana is around 2 meters (6-8 feet) with large, long, banana-like leaves. They are best known by their beautiful, red, hanging bract leaves that bloom from July-November. The flowers are covered in a waxy coatin, which acts as a defence mechanism against pesky insects. It grows well with lots of light and well-drained soil, and