The flower itself is a tiny yellow thing that sticks up out of the orange bract.
From what I understand, the seeds are large, about the size of bluebird eggs, or bigger. I have seen photos of them. They are a bright Caribbean blue. Wow!
They were much prettier when I first bought it. The hard rains we have been having beat them up, so the edges are a bit ragged now, but still beautiful.

Here is a link that might be useful:

If the picture you posted is of the heliconia you have, then it is a Heliconia Psittacorum. It looks like Andromeda. I grow over 25 different heliconia here in southwest Louisiana and all but 4 are in pots. I have been growing heliconia for 6 or 7 years and would be happy to pass along to you what has and hasn't worked for me. They are not the easiest plants to grow. Send me a private email and we can discuss and I'll send back to you a bunch of pictures of mine in bloom. They are my favorite tropicals.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Yes, the two pictures above are of my plant. I took those with my digital. In fact, I have taken many pictues of it. So beautiful! So ancient looking.
I want to learn more about them. I am sure that each variety has it's particular likes and dislikes for soil, moisture, temps, light, & etc., as they are such unique plants.
How do you propagate them? Haven't examined their roots, so don't know if they have tubers or rhisomes or just spread in clumps. Are their seeds viable?
Should I leave it in the pot it is in now?
Waiting to hear back from you.
I am posting this for others, but I will also send this to your private e-mail, so that you may respond in private, if you wish.
Thank you very much for contacting me about this gorgeous plant.
~ Annie

Here are those same photos now in my photobucket:

There are also Begonias, Periwinkles, Variegated Liriope, a Camelia plant, & a big pot of Native Okie Blue Spiderwort. Pampas Grass and Purple Ruffles Basil are behind them. These are under the camopy of a large Mimosa. There are also 2 huge pots of Kimberly Ferns, Hostas, Irises, Mums, a Hanging basket of Variegated Swedish Ivy, and a large container of Cast Iron plant, as well as a huge bed of Apple mint.

At the edge situated along the walkway are big pots of Rosemary and mixed herbs.
The birdbath is an old sewer main with a terra cotta colored plastic pot saucer for the waterpan.

I have several Heliconias, my fav is Lobster claw. All are in huge pots that will be put in the greenhouse for the winter, but they are grand on my deck over looking the river.

I sure hope you two are safe down there in LA. I have been worrying about you.
Please let us know when you can that you are okay.

~Annie

We're ok here but I have lost contact with dozens of friends in the eastern part of the state. The situation just looks overwhelming. It will wind up being a national disaster when this is all over with.

Steve

Has anyone been able to grow Heliconia here on the Central Coast of California (San Luis Obispo)? If so I'm looking for any helpful tips

Hey lac1361. I was hoping you'd share so information with me about growing heliconia down here in south. I live in Alabama and would like to grow this. Your help would be much appreciated! My name is Gary. If you would like to help me my email. buddybuddygw@yahoo Or if anyone else has this knowledge to share thank you community!

I still grow heliconias but am down to a handful. Which heliconia were you interested in? I'd be happy to pass along any information.

Steve

I love gingers, cannas, & Heliconias.

I saw a Lobster Claw blooming Nicaragua, I wanted to bring it home with me.

I have not bought any Heliconias because I thought they would not live or bloom in Zone 8.

I plan to build a sun room when I retire to house many of these plants in.

I live in Florida and they grow wild here they die out and come back twice as much as the year before , these are in my front yard they are very pretty and simple to grow for me