Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
Known commonly as the crane flower or bird of paradise, *Strelitzia reginae* is an evergreen perennial prized for its dramatic, striking flowers. These flowers, which emerge from a hard, beak-like sheath (spathe), feature three orange sepals and three purplish-blue or white petals.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant grows up to 2 meters tall, featuring large, strong, evergreen leaves that are 25–70 cm long and 10–30 cm broad, arranged in a fan-shaped crown. The flowers emerge from a spathe placed perpendicular to the stem, giving the appearance of a bird's head and beak. The individual flowers consist of three orange sepals and three purplish-blue or white petals.
Distribution & habitat
Native to the Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
Cultivation notes
It is popular as an ornamental plant and can be grown in sunny and warm areas, such as Florida and California in the United States. It requires full sun to semi-shade, thrives in rich loamy soil, and is sensitive to cold, needing shelter from frost and protection in areas with cold winters. It is low-maintenance and can flower several times a year.
History & etymology
Joseph Banks described the species in 1788. The specific epithet reginae means “of the queen,” commemorating Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The common name “bird of paradise” was given due to the resemblance of the open inflorescence to the display plumage of certain birds.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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