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Strelitzia
Strelitzia reginae
SA tree number
English: Strelitzia, Crane Flower, Bird of Paradise, Orange Strelitzia
Afrikaans: Kraanvoëlblom
Xhosa: Isigude
Strelitzia reginae, famously known as the Crane Flower or Bird, Paradise Flower or just Strelitzia, is one of South Africa's most iconic and beautiful indigenous plants. This striking perennial grows in clumps and is instantly recognisable by its vibrant, exotic-looking flowers that resemble a crane's head or a colourful bird in flight, with bright orange and brilliant blue petals emerging from a boat-shaped purplish bract. It's a truly spectacular plant that brings a touch of the tropics to any garden.
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Distinguishing features:
A stemless, evergreen, clump-forming perennial herb, typically reaching 1.2–1.5 metres high.
Features large, leathery, oblong-elliptic, grey-green leaves (up to 50 cm long and 25 cm wide) with long petioles (up to 1 m long), arranged in a fan-like manner.
Produces unique, brightly coloured flowers resembling a crane's head or a bird in flight, with vivid orange sepals and brilliant blue petals.
The flowers emerge sequentially (usually 5–7 per cluster) from a distinctive, erect, boat-shaped, often purplish-tinged spathe (a large bract) up to 20 cm long.
Bears hard, woody, brownish, 3-lobed capsules (fruits) 20–30 mm long.
The seeds are round, black, and have a bright orange tuft of hairs (aril) at one end, measuring 6–8 mm in diameter.
Overall appearance:
Strelitzia reginae grows as a robust, evergreen, clump-forming perennial herb with no visible stem above ground. Its large, leathery, banana-like leaves emerge directly from the rootstock and are arranged in a distinctive fan shape, giving the plant a tropical and architectural feel. The plant's most striking feature is its exotic, bird-like flowers that emerge on tall, stiff stalks, creating a vibrant and eye-catching focal point.
Height:
Typically grows between 1.2 and 1.5 metres high, including the flower stalks.
Width:
Forms a clump that can spread to over 1 metre wide over time due to its rhizomatous rootstock.
Leaves:
Leathery, oblong-elliptic in shape.
Grey-green in colour.
Measure approximately 50 cm long by 10–25 cm wide.
Each leaf has a very long petiole (leaf stalk) that can reach up to 1 metre in length.
The venation (vein pattern) is parallel and prominent, similar to a banana leaf.
The leaves are arranged in a distinctive fan-like manner, growing directly from the base of the plant.
Flowers:
Unique, highly colourful, and instantly recognisable, resembling a crane's head or a tropical bird in flight.
Consist of three brilliant orange sepals (outer petals) and three brilliant blue petals (inner petals). Two of the blue petals are fused together to form an arrow-like nectary, while the third is small.
Emerge sequentially (one after another) from a distinctive, erect, boat-shaped, often purplish-tinged spathe (a large, protective bract). This spathe can be up to 20 cm long.
Usually, 5–7 flowers can emerge from a single spathe over time.
They are pollinated by sunbirds.
Flowering season:
Primarily flowers in winter and spring (from May to December), but can produce flowers sporadically throughout the year, especially in warm climates.
Fruits:
A hard, woody, brownish, 3-lobed capsule.
Measures between 20 mm and 30 mm long.
Splits open from the top when ripe to release the seeds.
Seeds:
Round and black.
Measure about 6–8 mm in diameter.
Have a bright orange tuft of hairs (an aril) attached to one end, which is attractive to birds.
Roots:
The roots are fleshy and finger-like and ± 25 mm in diameter.
Soil type:
Prefers well-rained, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to semi-shade. It prefers warm conditions and tolerates coastal conditions and wind very well. It can also withstand light frost, but severe frost may damage it.
Toxicity: The seeds are reported to be mildly toxic if ingested, potentially causing mild gastrointestinal upset. It's generally considered non-toxic to humans if not ingested.
Uses:
Ornamental Plant: One of the most popular and widely cultivated ornamental plants globally due to its striking flowers and architectural foliage.
Cut Flowers: Its long-lasting flowers are highly prized in floral arrangements and have an excellent vase life.
Landscaping: Excellent for mass planting, as borders, in containers, or as a vibrant focal point in gardens.
Traditional Crafts: The dried leaves can be used for weaving in traditional crafts, such as making rope or baskets.
Ecology:
Pollination: The unique structure of the Strelitzia reginae flower is perfectly adapted for pollination by sunbirds. When a sunbird perches on the blue petals to drink nectar, its feet cause the petals to open, dusting the bird's feet with pollen, which is then efficiently transferred to the stigma of the next flower it visits.
Seed Dispersal: The bright orange aril on the black seeds is a strong visual attractant for birds, which consume the seeds and help in their dispersal. Ants can also play a minor role in dispersing the seeds.
Herbivory: In its natural habitat, the leaves and young shoots may be browsed by buck (small antelope), although this is not typically a significant threat to the plant's survival.
Distribution and habitat:
Strelitzia reginae is indigenous to South Africa.
South African Provinces: It is naturally found in the coastal areas of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Habitat: It grows naturally in coastal bush, along riverbanks, and in open spaces where it can form large colonies.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Strelitzia was given by Sir Joseph Banks, a botanist, to honour Queen Charlotte (Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz), who was the wife of King George III of the United Kingdom and a keen patron of botany.
The specific epithet reginae is Latin for 'of the queen', further honouring Queen Charlotte.
The common English name "Bird of Paradise Flower" obviously comes from the flower's striking resemblance to a tropical bird. "Crane Flower" comes from its similarity to a crane's head. The Afrikaans "Kraanvoëlblom" also means Crane Flower.
Historical aspects:
Strelitzia reginae was first introduced to Europe in 1773 and rapidly gained popularity due to its extraordinary beauty. It has since become one of the world's most famous and widely cultivated ornamental plants, a universally recognised symbol of tropical and exotic beauty. It has been cultivated outside of its native South Africa for over 250 years, often featuring prominently in botanical illustrations and garden designs worldwide.
Interesting facts:
The flowers of the Strelitzia are so perfectly designed for sunbirds that when a bird lands on the "tongue" (the blue petals), it acts like a spring, dusting the bird's feet with pollen – super clever!
Even though it looks super tropical, the Strelitzia is actually incredibly tough. It can handle strong coastal winds and even a bit of frost, making it a real survivor!
Those bright orange "fluffy" bits on its black seeds are called an "aril," and they're like a little beacon for birds, telling them "Come eat me and help spread my seeds!"
Growing tips:
Propagation: This plant is easily grown from fresh seed or by division of established clumps.
Seeds: Sow fresh seeds in spring or summer. Good germination requires fresh seed. Germination can be slow, taking from 4–8 weeks to up to 1 year. Soaking seeds in warm water overnight or removing the aril (the orange tuft of hairs) can improve germination rates.
Division: Established clumps can be divided in spring.
Watering: Water well, especially during summer.
Fertilising: Fertilise regularly.
Frost: Protect from severe frost.
Maintenance: This plant tolerates some neglect.
Pests and Diseases: Strelitzia reginae is generally problem-free. However, mealy bugs and scale insects sometimes occur on leaves and in the flowers. Root rot can occur if the plant is grown in poorly drained soil.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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