hanging lobster claw

noun

plural hanging lobster claws

: an ornamental heliconia (Heliconia rostrata) that has long hanging flower clusters bearing flowers enclosed in large bright red bracts tipped in yellow and green

The hanging lobster claw is the most well-known heliconia and grows best in tropical regions, but there are others that are better suited to our gardens.

—Debbie McDonald

called also lobster claw

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above