Many people would not describe bats as cute. This is likely because of bats’ associations with viruses, darkness, and evil. Granted, bats are somewhat weird animals, being the only mammals that can ...

Popular for their spectacularly colorful and exotic blooms, heliconias can make a great addition to your home garden ...

Canna lilies are bold and beautiful landscape plants that are a staple growing in southern home gardens, popularized as easy ...

Honduran white bats (Ectophylla alba) are tiny architects that transform large heliconia leaves into protective shelters. Using their specially adapted teeth, these snow-white bats with bright yellow ...

Local horticulturist Nan Sterman explains what went into choosing the plants and her garden design in Balboa Park’s rebuilt Botanical Building ...

Commercial harvesting of the heliconia leaves impacts the bats further. Social groups of 4-14 bats can roost together inside these rolled-up leaves.

The genus Heliconia contains 187 species of tropical plants related to bananas. While a handful of Heliconia species are native to western Pacific islands, the majority live in rainforests throughout ...

A new analysis from researchers at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History reveals that nearly half of the genus Heliconia, a group of tropical plants popular for their bright ...

Their main threats include “climate change and localized commercial harvesting of Heliconia leaves (their preferred roost) for tamales.” ...

Their main threats include “climate change and localized commercial harvesting of Heliconia leaves (their preferred roost) for tamales.” ...