Summary
Leaf anatomy and chemical identification of cuticular wax of a species of Heliconia related to H. tarumaensis are presented here. The anatomical structure of the leaf is suggestive of a sun plant, and this agrees with the known habitat of the species. Rhexigenous lacunae are present both in the petiole and midrib of the leaf blade. The proportion of photosynthetic tissue is low, never occupying more than 1/2 of the thickness of the leaf. The cuticular wax was identified as n-tetra-cosyl laurate.