Difference between revisions of "Strelitzia"

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{{SPlantbox
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|familia=Musaceae
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|genus=Strelitzia
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|lifespan=perennial
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|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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|features=evergreen
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|Temp Metric=°F
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|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
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|image=Strelitzia_larger.jpg
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|image_width=240
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}}
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'''''Strelitzia''''' ({{pron-en|strɛˈlɪtsi.ə}})<ref>''Sunset Western Garden Book,'' 1995:606–607</ref> is a genus of five species of [[perennial plant]]s, native to [[South Africa]]. The genus is named after the [[duchy]] of [[Mecklenburg-Strelitz]], birthplace of [[Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz|Queen Charlotte]] of the [[United Kingdom]]. A [[common name]] of the genus is '''bird of paradise flower''', because of a supposed resemblance of its flowers to the [[Birds of paradise|bird of paradise]]. In South Africa it is commonly known as a '''crane flower'''.
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The species ''S. nicolai'' is the largest in the genus, reaching 10 m tall, with stately white and blue flowers;<ref name=Eliovson>{{cite book|last=Eliovson|first=Sima|title=Shrubs, trees, and climbers|publisher=Macmillan South Africa|date=1981|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?client=firefox-a&id=6Yg_AAAAYAAJ&dq=strelitzia+nicolai+height+of+10+metres%22&q=banana-like#search_anchor|accessdate=2009-09-12|isbn=0869540114}}</ref> the other species typically reach 2 to 3.5 m tall, except ''S. caudata'' which is a tree of a typically smaller size than ''S. nicolai''. The [[leaf|leaves]] are large, 30–200 cm long and 10–80 cm broad, similar to a [[banana leaf]] in appearance but with a longer [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]], and arranged strictly in two ranks to form a fan-like crown of [[evergreen]] foliage. The [[flower]]s are produced in a horizontal [[inflorescence]] emerging from a stout spathe. They are [[pollination|pollinated]] by [[sunbird]]s, which use the spathe as a perch when visiting the flowers; the weight of the bird on the spathe opens it to release the [[pollen]] onto the bird's feet, which is then deposited on the next flower it visits.
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{{Inc|
 
{{Inc|
 
Strelitzia (for the wife of King George III, Charlotte Sophia, of the family Mecklinburgh-Strelitz, a patron of botany). Musaceae. Bird-of-paradise Flower. Perennial herbs, adapted to the warmhouse, grown for the banana-like foliage and the very odd showy flowers.
 
Strelitzia (for the wife of King George III, Charlotte Sophia, of the family Mecklinburgh-Strelitz, a patron of botany). Musaceae. Bird-of-paradise Flower. Perennial herbs, adapted to the warmhouse, grown for the banana-like foliage and the very odd showy flowers.
  
Rhizome sometimes subterranean, sometimes an erect woody st.: lvs. large, long-petioled: scape terminal or in the upper axils, short-exserted from the sheaths of the lvs.: bracts large, spathe-like, boat-shaped, acuminate, solitary at the end of the scape or 2 slightly distant: perianth long-exserted; sepals free, long, carinate; petals very dissimilar; stamens 5; ovary 3-celled, many-seeded.—About 5 species, S. Afr. The genus has been monographed by K. Schumann in Engler's Pflanzenreich, hft. 1 (IV. 45) 1900.
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Rhizome sometimes subterranean, sometimes an erect woody st.: lvs. large, long-petioled: scape terminal or in the upper axils, short-exserted from the sheaths of the lvs.: bracts large, spathe-like, boat-shaped, acuminate, solitary at the end of the scape or 2 slightly distant: perianth long-exserted; sepals free, long, carinate; petals very dissimilar; stamens 5; ovary 3-celled, many-seeded.—About 5 species, S. Afr.
  
 
The Strelitzia Reginae requires a strong soil, a copious supply of water, and considerable sunlight. It is a serviceable plant for house decoration or for the porch or lawn in summer. It will endure much neglect, but unless well cared for it may fail to bloom regularly and well. A night temperature of 50° is sufficient. This plant may be induced to set seed if the flowers are hand-fertilized. The usual method of propagation, however, is by suckers and division.
 
The Strelitzia Reginae requires a strong soil, a copious supply of water, and considerable sunlight. It is a serviceable plant for house decoration or for the porch or lawn in summer. It will endure much neglect, but unless well cared for it may fail to bloom regularly and well. A night temperature of 50° is sufficient. This plant may be induced to set seed if the flowers are hand-fertilized. The usual method of propagation, however, is by suckers and division.
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{{SCH}}
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}}
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==Cultivation==
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===Propagation===
  
{{Taxobox
 
| name = ''Strelitzia''
 
| image = Strelitzia_larger.jpg
 
| image_width = 240px
 
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
 
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
 
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
 
| subclassis = [[Zingiberidae]]
 
| ordo = [[Zingiberales]]
 
| familia = [[Strelitziaceae]]
 
| genus = '''''Strelitzia'''''
 
| genus_authority = Ait.
 
| subdivision_ranks = Species
 
| subdivision = See text
 
}}
 
  
'''''Strelitzia''''' is a genus of five species of [[perennial plant]]s, native to [[South Africa]]. The genus is named after the [[duchy]] of [[Mecklenburg-Strelitz]], birthplace of [[Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz|Queen Charlotte]] of the [[United Kingdom]]. The common name of the genus is '''bird of paradise flower''', because of a supposed resemblance of its flowers to the [[bird of paradise]]. In South Africa it is commonly known as a "crane" flower.
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===Pests and diseases===
  
The species ''S. nicolai'' is the largest in the genus, reaching 10 m tall; the other species typically reach 2-6 m tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are large, 30-200 cm long and 10-80 cm broad, similar to a [[banana]] leaf in appearance but with a longer [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]], and arranged strictly in two ranks to form a fan-like crown of [[evergreen]] foliage. The [[flower]]s are produced in a horizontal [[inflorescence]] emerging from a stout spathe. They are [[pollination|pollinated]] by [[sunbird]]s, which use the spathe as a perch when visiting the flowers; the weight of the bird on the spathe opens it to release the [[pollen]] onto the bird's feet, which is then deposited on the next flower it visits.
 
  
;Species
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==Species==
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;Species{{wp}}
 
*''[[Strelitzia alba]]'' ([[synonymy|syn.]] ''S. augusta'') - White bird of paradise
 
*''[[Strelitzia alba]]'' ([[synonymy|syn.]] ''S. augusta'') - White bird of paradise
 
*''[[Strelitzia caudata]]'' - Swaziland Strelitzia, African desert banana
 
*''[[Strelitzia caudata]]'' - Swaziland Strelitzia, African desert banana
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*''[[Strelitzia juncea]]'' (Ker Gawl.) - Greatly reduced or non-existent leaves. [http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/wcsp/namedetail.do?accepted_id=267251&repSynonym_id=267256&name_id=267251&status=true&checklist=monocots Cite].
 
*''[[Strelitzia juncea]]'' (Ker Gawl.) - Greatly reduced or non-existent leaves. [http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/wcsp/namedetail.do?accepted_id=267251&repSynonym_id=267256&name_id=267251&status=true&checklist=monocots Cite].
  
;Hybrids
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;Hybrids{{wp}}
*''S × kewensis'' ([[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] between ''S. reginae'' and ''S. augusta'')
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*''S × kewensis'' ([[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] between ''S. reginae'' and ''S. augusta'')  
  
;Links
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==Gallery==
*[[List of Southern African indigenous trees]]
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<gallery perrow=5>
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File:Strelitzia alba002.jpg|''[[Strelitzia alba]]''
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File:Strelitzia juncea flower.jpg|''[[Strelitzia juncea]]''
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File:Strelitzianicolaiflowers.JPG|''[[Strelitzia nicolai]]''
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Image:Bird of Paradise flower.JPG|''[[Strelitzia reginae]]'' flower
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</gallery>
  
==In The Media==
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==References==
 
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<references/>
Strelitzia is seen in the TV Series [[Farscape]], it eaten by the Scarrens to enhance their intelligence. (420: "Hot To Katratzi")
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
  
==References & notes==
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==External links==
;References
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*{{wplink}}
<div class="references-small">
 
* [http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_toxic_birdofparadise/ Toxic Information]
 
  
<gallery>
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{{stub}}
Image:StrelitziaReginaePlant.jpg|''Strelitzia reginae'' plant
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__NOTOC__
Image:StrelitziaReginaeFlower.jpg|''Strelitzia reginae'' flower
 
Image:A wasp in flower.jpg|A wasp in ''Strelitzia reginae'' flower
 
Image:Bird of Paradise flower.JPG|''Strelitzia reginae'' flower
 
 
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
==References==
 
{{reflist}}
 

Latest revision as of 20:14, 18 June 2010


Strelitzia larger.jpg


Plant Characteristics
Lifespan: perennial
Cultivation
Features: evergreen
Scientific Names

Musaceae >

Strelitzia >


If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!


Strelitzia (pronounced /strɛˈlɪtsi.ə/)[1] is a genus of five species of perennial plants, native to South Africa. The genus is named after the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, birthplace of Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom. A common name of the genus is bird of paradise flower, because of a supposed resemblance of its flowers to the bird of paradise. In South Africa it is commonly known as a crane flower.

The species S. nicolai is the largest in the genus, reaching 10 m tall, with stately white and blue flowers;[2] the other species typically reach 2 to 3.5 m tall, except S. caudata which is a tree of a typically smaller size than S. nicolai. The leaves are large, 30–200 cm long and 10–80 cm broad, similar to a banana leaf in appearance but with a longer petiole, and arranged strictly in two ranks to form a fan-like crown of evergreen foliage. The flowers are produced in a horizontal inflorescence emerging from a stout spathe. They are pollinated by sunbirds, which use the spathe as a perch when visiting the flowers; the weight of the bird on the spathe opens it to release the pollen onto the bird's feet, which is then deposited on the next flower it visits.


Read about Strelitzia in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Strelitzia (for the wife of King George III, Charlotte Sophia, of the family Mecklinburgh-Strelitz, a patron of botany). Musaceae. Bird-of-paradise Flower. Perennial herbs, adapted to the warmhouse, grown for the banana-like foliage and the very odd showy flowers.

Rhizome sometimes subterranean, sometimes an erect woody st.: lvs. large, long-petioled: scape terminal or in the upper axils, short-exserted from the sheaths of the lvs.: bracts large, spathe-like, boat-shaped, acuminate, solitary at the end of the scape or 2 slightly distant: perianth long-exserted; sepals free, long, carinate; petals very dissimilar; stamens 5; ovary 3-celled, many-seeded.—About 5 species, S. Afr.

The Strelitzia Reginae requires a strong soil, a copious supply of water, and considerable sunlight. It is a serviceable plant for house decoration or for the porch or lawn in summer. It will endure much neglect, but unless well cared for it may fail to bloom regularly and well. A night temperature of 50° is sufficient. This plant may be induced to set seed if the flowers are hand-fertilized. The usual method of propagation, however, is by suckers and division. CH


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

Propagation

Pests and diseases

Species

Specieswp
Hybridswp
  • S × kewensis (hybrid between S. reginae and S. augusta)

Gallery

References

  1. Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  2. Eliovson, Sima (1981). Shrubs, trees, and climbers. Macmillan South Africa. ISBN 0869540114. http://books.google.co.uk/books?client=firefox-a&id=6Yg_AAAAYAAJ&dq=strelitzia+nicolai+height+of+10+metres%22&q=banana-like#search_anchor. Retrieved 2009-09-12. 

External links