Heliconia is the only genus in the plant family heliconiacea, which is a member of a larger taxonomic category called the order Zingiberales. There are several very obvious characteristics by which they can be recognized, including large leaves and large, colorful, bracteate inflorecences.Most taxonomists recognize eight separate families in the zingiberales : Musacea (Bananas),Strelitziacea (Bird of Paradise), Lowiacea, Heliconiacea (Heliconias), Zingiberacea (Gingers), Costacea (Costus), Cannacea (Cannas) and Marantacea (Prayer Plants).