Difference between revisions of "Strelitzia reginae"

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{{Taxobox
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{{SPlantbox
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| name = Bird of Paradise flower
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|familia=Musaceae
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| image = Bird_of_Paradise_flower.JPG
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|genus=Strelitzia
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| image_width = 240px
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|species=reginae
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| image_caption = ''Strelitzia reginae'' flower
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|common_name=Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia, Crane Flower
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
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|habit=herbaceous
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| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
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|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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| subclassis = [[Zingiberidae]]
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|Max ht box=4
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| ordo = [[Zingiberales]]
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|Max ht metric=ft
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| familia = [[Strelitziaceae]]
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|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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| genus = ''[[Strelitzia]]''
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|Max wd box=3
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| species = '''''S. reginae'''''
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|Max wd metric=ft
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| binomial = ''Strelitzia reginae''
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|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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| binomial_authority = [[Aiton]]<ref>
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|lifespan=perennial
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{{cite web
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|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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|url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?35769
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|exposure=sun
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|title=Strelitzia reginae information from NPGS/GRIN
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|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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|publisher=www.ars-grin.gov
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|features=evergreen, flowers
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|accessdate=2008-03-10
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|flower_season=early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer
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|last=
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|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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|first=
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|flowers=orange, yellow
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|Temp Metric=°F
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|min_zone=10
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|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
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|max_zone=12
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|image=Starr 060615-8172 Strelitzia reginae.jpg
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|image_width=240
 
}}
 
}}
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</ref>
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'''''Strelitzia reginae''''' is a [[monocotyledon]]ous [[flowering plant]] indigenous to [[South Africa]]. Common names include '''Strelitzia''', '''Crane Flower''' or '''Bird of Paradise''', though these names are also collectively applied to other species in the genus ''[[Strelitzia]]''. Its scientific name commemorates [[Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz]], [[queen consort]] of [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]].
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The plant grows to {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, with large, strong [[leaf|leaves]] {{convert|25|-|70|cm|in|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|10|-|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} broad, produced on [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]]s up to {{convert|1|m|in|abbr=on}} long. The leaves are [[evergreen]] and arranged in two ranks, making a fan-shaped crown. The [[flower]]s stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks. The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges is termed the ''[[Spadix|spathe]]''. This is placed perpendicular to the stem, which gives it the appearance of a bird's head and beak; it makes a durable perch for holding the [[sunbird]]s which [[pollination|pollinate]] the flowers. The flowers, which emerge one at a time from the spathe, consist of three brilliant orange [[sepal]]s and three purplish-blue [[petal]]s. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like nectary. When the sunbirds sit to drink the nectar, the petals open to cover their feet in [[pollen]].
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{{Inc|
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Strelitzia reginae, Banks. Bird-of-Paradise Flower. About 3 ft. high: roots large, strong-growing: lvs. oblong, about 1 ft. long, stiff, concave: lf .-stalks all radical, 2-3 times as long as the lvs.: scape higher than the lvs.: spathe about 6 in. long, nearly horizontal, purplish at the base, about 6-fld., the fls. orange and blue-purple. Winter. Var. citrina, Hort., is cult. abroad.
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{{SCH}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
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'''''Strelitzia reginae''''' is a [[monocotyledon]]ous [[flowering plant]] indigenous to [[South Africa]]. Common names include '''Strelitzia''', '''Crane Flower''' or '''Bird of Paradise''', though these names are also collectively applied to other species in the genus ''[[Strelitzia]]''. Its scientific name commemorates [[Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz|Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz]], wife of [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]].
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==Cultivation==
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''S. reginae'' is very popular as an [[ornamental plant]]. It was first introduced to [[Europe]] in [[1773]], when it was grown at the [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]]. Since then, it has been widely introduced around the world, including the [[Americas]] and [[Australia]], growing well in any area that is sunny and warm. In the [[United States]], [[Florida]] and [[California]] are the main areas of cultivation, due to their warm climate. It is a common ornamental plant in [[Southern California]], and has been chosen as the Official Flower of the [[Los Angeles, California|City of Los Angeles]], where they are all but unkillable.
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It is propagated by division or from seeds, and is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow in the garden; it is fairly tolerant of soil conditions and needs little water once established. If cared for well, they will flower several times in a year. They will thrive in rich [[loam]]y soil, especially when they get plenty of water throughout the year. They do well in full sun to semi-shade and respond well to regular feeding with a [[controlled release fertiliser]] and [[compost]]. They are sensitive to cold and need to be sheltered from [[frost]], as it can damage the flowers and leaves.
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''S. reginae'' is slow-growing and will not bloom until three to five years have passed since germination (though it can exceptionally flower at two years).<ref>Joffe, P. Easy Guide to Indigenous Shrubs, Briza Publications, 2003 ISBN 1875093400</ref> It flowers only when properly established and division of the plant may affect flowering patterns. The flowers are, however, quite long-lasting once they appear. Peak flowering is in the winter and early spring. There is a yellow-flowered [[cultivar]] of this plant known as Mandela's Gold Strelitzia.
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===Propagation===
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===Pests and diseases===
  
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The plant grows to 2 m (6½ ft) tall, with large, strong [[leaf|leaves]] 25-70 cm (10-28 in) long and 10-30 cm (4-12 in) broad, produced on [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]]s up to 1 m (about 40 in) long. The leaves are [[evergreen]] and arranged in two ranks, making a fan-shaped crown. The [[flower]]s stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks. The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges is termed the ''[[Spadix|spathe]]''. This is placed perpendicular to the stem, which gives it the appearance of a bird's head and beak; it makes a durable perch for holding the [[sunbird]]s which [[pollination|pollinate]] the flowers. The flowers, which emerge one at a time from the spathe, consist of three brilliant orange [[sepal]]s and three purplish-blue [[petal]]s. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like nectary. When the sunbirds sit to drink the nectar, the petals open to cover their feet in [[pollen]].
 
  
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==Meaning==
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==Varieties==
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Freedom, Magnificence, Good perspective
 
  
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<gallery>
 
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Image:StrelitziaReginaePlant.jpg|''Strelitzia reginae'' plant
 
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Image:StrelitziaReginaeFlower.jpg|''Strelitzia reginae'' flower
 
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Image:A wasp in flower.jpg|A wasp in ''Strelitzia reginae'' flower
 
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Image:Strelitzia_larger.jpg|''Strelitzia reginae'' flower
 
  
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==Gallery==
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<gallery perrow=5>
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File:Starr 061224-2882 Strelitzia reginae.jpg
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File:Starr 071024-0329 Strelitzia reginae.jpg
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File:Canna JPG1.jpg
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File:Paradiesvogelblumensamen.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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{{Reflist}}
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<references/>
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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  -->
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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{{commons|Strelitzia reginae|Strelitzia reginae}}
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*{{wplink}}
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*[http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantqrs/strelitziareginae.htm ''Strelitzia reginae'']
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*http://www.floridata.com/ref/s/stre_reg.cfm 
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{{stub}}
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*http://www.redlandsnursery.com.au/infonotes/sterlitziaregenae.htm
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__NOTOC__

Latest revision as of 20:27, 18 June 2010


Starr 060615-8172 Strelitzia reginae.jpg


Plant Characteristics
Habit   herbaceous

Height: ⇕ 4 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 4.
Width: ⇔ 3 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 3.
Lifespan: ⌛ perennial
Bloom: ❀ early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer
Cultivation
Exposure: ☼ sun
Features: ✓ evergreen, flowers
USDA Zones: 10 to 12
Flower features: ❀ orange, yellow
Scientific Names

Musaceae >

Strelitzia >

reginae >


Strelitzia reginae is a monocotyledonous flowering plant indigenous to South Africa. Common names include Strelitzia, Crane Flower or Bird of Paradise, though these names are also collectively applied to other species in the genus Strelitzia. Its scientific name commemorates Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, queen consort of King George III.

The plant grows to 2 m ft tall, with large, strong leaves 25 - 70 cm long and 10 - 30 cm broad, produced on petioles up to 1 m in long. The leaves are evergreen and arranged in two ranks, making a fan-shaped crown. The flowers stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks. The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges is termed the spathe. This is placed perpendicular to the stem, which gives it the appearance of a bird's head and beak; it makes a durable perch for holding the sunbirds which pollinate the flowers. The flowers, which emerge one at a time from the spathe, consist of three brilliant orange sepals and three purplish-blue petals. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like nectary. When the sunbirds sit to drink the nectar, the petals open to cover their feet in pollen.


Read about Strelitzia reginae in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Strelitzia reginae, Banks. Bird-of-Paradise Flower. About 3 ft. high: roots large, strong-growing: lvs. oblong, about 1 ft. long, stiff, concave: lf .-stalks all radical, 2-3 times as long as the lvs.: scape higher than the lvs.: spathe about 6 in. long, nearly horizontal, purplish at the base, about 6-fld., the fls. orange and blue-purple. Winter. Var. citrina, Hort., is cult. abroad. 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

S. reginae is very popular as an ornamental plant. It was first introduced to Europe in 1773, when it was grown at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Since then, it has been widely introduced around the world, including the Americas and Australia, growing well in any area that is sunny and warm. In the United States, Florida and California are the main areas of cultivation, due to their warm climate. It is a common ornamental plant in Southern California, and has been chosen as the Official Flower of the City of Los Angeles, where they are all but unkillable.

It is propagated by division or from seeds, and is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow in the garden; it is fairly tolerant of soil conditions and needs little water once established. If cared for well, they will flower several times in a year. They will thrive in rich loamy soil, especially when they get plenty of water throughout the year. They do well in full sun to semi-shade and respond well to regular feeding with a controlled release fertiliser and compost. They are sensitive to cold and need to be sheltered from frost, as it can damage the flowers and leaves.

S. reginae is slow-growing and will not bloom until three to five years have passed since germination (though it can exceptionally flower at two years).[1] It flowers only when properly established and division of the plant may affect flowering patterns. The flowers are, however, quite long-lasting once they appear. Peak flowering is in the winter and early spring. There is a yellow-flowered cultivar of this plant known as Mandela's Gold Strelitzia.

Propagation

Pests and diseases

Varieties

Gallery

  • Starr 061224-2882 Strelitzia reginae.jpg
  • Starr 071024-0329 Strelitzia reginae.jpg
  • Canna JPG1.jpg
  • Paradiesvogelblumensamen.jpg

References

  1. ↑ Joffe, P. Easy Guide to Indigenous Shrubs, Briza Publications, 2003 ISBN 1875093400

External links


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