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 Queen's Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) TERRACE PLANTER SOUTH OF ADMINISTRATION |
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| 3 | Prized for orange and blue birdlike flowers and tropical appearing foliage. |
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In Depth |
Strelitzia reginae, African Bird of Paradise Location: In planter behind "screen"on south side of the Administration Building. Also in this planter is a Philodendron, and a Brunfelsia calycina (know as "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" for its flowers which fade from purple to white as they mature) FAMILY: Musaceae, the banana family DISTRIBUTION: South Africa HABITAT: Riverbanks and open glades HABIT: Large herbaceous plant FLOWERING: Summer Natural History notes: Named for Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818), Queen of King George III of England. Pollinated by sunbirds in its native Africa. Plants are sensitive to cold and need protection when grown outdoors in Tucson. Distinguishing Characteristics: Plants produce large paddle-shaped leaves from a central growth crown. This species never develops a true stem. Flowers are orange and blue, long and narrow, fanning out from a green boat-shaped floral bract held on a high stalk, giving the inflorescence the appearance of a crested tropical bird. Human Uses: A well-known greenhouse plant, cultivated as an ornamental. The inflorescences are used in cut flower arrangements. |