In Hawaiian, the name means “Little Globe” and represents magnificence. [5], https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Strelitzia&oldid=990932371, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, White bird of paradise or giant bird of paradise; wild banana; blue-and-white strelitzia, Strelitzia, bird of paradise, or crane lily, This page was last edited on 27 November 2020, at 09:50. [6], Plants in the genus Strelitzia produce no windborne pollen, and have an OPALS allergy scale rating of 1 (considered "allergy-fighting"). The bird of paradise is an easy flower to grow in gardens where the climate is warm. The Bird of Paradise was a play that came out in 1912 about a torn interracial romance between a Polynesian beauty and a young American sailor. Orange Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is the most recognizable type of Bird of Paradise. The bird of paradise represents faithfulness, love, and thoughtfulness — making it the perfect romantic gift. It is the floral emblem of the City of Los Angeles; two of the species, Strelitzia nicolai and Strelitzia reginae, are frequently grown as house plants.[3]. The bird of paradise is the official flower for a ninth wedding anniversary. The giant bird of paradise, Strelitzia nicolai, is one of the largest species and can grow up to 30 feet in height. The bird of paradise is a very popular source of inspiration in fine art. ; Juncea Bird of Paradise (S. reginae var. As the flower blooms, each petal makes its debut and the resulting shape mirrors that of a tropical bird in flight. The uniquely shaped flowers are said to look like a bird in flight, and make long-lasting cut flowers… Repotting too often can inhibit the flowering of bird of paradise blooms for up to two years. It originates from South Africa, where it is also nicknamed the Crane Flower. It belongs to the plant family Strelitziaceae. They are a great way to add a color and exoticism to any bouquet or centerpiece and are popular in weddings. Container grown plants will bloom more profusely if kept slightly pot bound. As the flower blooms, each petal makes its debut and the resulting shape mirrors that of a tropical bird in flight. Strelitzia reginae, also known as bird-of-paradise, is prized for its vibrant, unmistakable blooms.According to The Southern Living Garden Book, "The spectacular flowers bear a startling resemblance to the heads of crested tropical birds. It belongs to the plant family Strelitziaceae. Another factor to look for when there are no flowers on bird of paradise is the planting condition. There are only six recognized species of Strelitzia. It is the floral emblem of the City of Los Angeles Container grown plants will bloom more profusely if kept slightly pot bound. Although birds of paradise are best known for their bright orange and blue colors, their flowers can also be white. Strelitzia /strɛˈlɪtsiə/ is a genus of five species of perennial plants, native to South Africa. Blooms of the bird of paradise … 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 scientific name for the bird of paradise is Strelitzia reginae, which was named by Sir Joseph Banks, who was the director of the royal gardens. The weight of the bird when standing on the spathe opens it to release the pollen onto the bird's feet, which is then deposited on the next flower it visits. Give bird of paradise a spot in full sun for best growth and most flowers. Other meanings include: The bird of paradise is known as the ultimate symbol of paradise and freedom. [2] The genus is named after the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, birthplace of Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom. juncea) is a variety of the orange Bird of Paradise. The genus is named after the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, birthplace of Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom. Take a look at our tropical flower bouquets that include other exotic flowers such as colorful orchids paired with classic blooms such as roses and lilies. In South Africa it is commonly known as a crane flower and is featured on the reverse of the 50 cent coin. [5], Five species are recognised, although one—Strelitzia juncea—has been shown to be genetically nested within another, Strelitzia reginae. The species S. nicolai is the largest in the genus, reaching 10 m tall, with stately white and blue flowers;[4] 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. Potting the plant in a container is also beneficial for flowering. A common name of the genus is bird of paradise flower / plant, because of a resemblance of its flowers to birds-of-paradise. In South Africa it is commonly known as a crane flower and is featured on the reverse of the 50 cent coin. The bird of paradise is closely related to the banana plant, which is evident in its similar-looking large fan-like leaves. After cutting, the bird of paradise flower can last for one to two weeks. Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a striking tropical plant known for its eye-catching orange and blue flowers. The most popular species of bird of paradise in this genus are C. pulcherrima, C. gilliesii and C. mexicana, but there are many more available for the home gardener. Each flower has 3 orange sepals and 3 blue petals. Due to its toxicity, keep the bird of paradise flower away from dogs and cats. They are pollinated by sunbirds, which use the spathe as a perch when visiting the flowers. The bird of paradise gets its name from the fact that its flower is made of three bright orange petals and three blue petals which are fused together into a single bud. Strelitzia lack natural insect pollinators; in areas without sunbirds, plants in this genus generally need hand pollination in order to successfully set seed. A bird of paradise is a leafy plant that produces colorful flowers resembling a bird in flight. The flowers are produced in a horizontal inflorescence emerging from a stout spathe. The bird of paradise flower meaning includes joy and paradise, as it is the quintessential tropical flower.