Strelitzia reginae Syn. S. Parvifolia

Common names:

French: Oiseau du Paradis, Strélitzie

English: Bird of Paradise, Crane flower

Spanish: Flor ave del Paraiso

Others: Paradiesvogelblume

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FAMILY

STRELIZIACEAE

ETYMOLOGY

The flower looks like a bird. Strelizia for Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Reginae translates as "queen", in relation to the beauty of the flower.

ORIGIN

South Africa.

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HABITAT

Banks of rivers or clearings.

DESCRIPTION

Perennial tropical flower forming a tuft without stem. Size: 0,75-2 m.

Large oblong leaves, green-grey, carried by petioles of 0,5-1m long. Size: 15-50 cm.

Nuanced green spathes of purple and orange appear in the axils of the leaves. Then come out the flowers with orange calyx and blue corolla. Height: 3-10 cm.

Flowering: 3-5 years after sowing, from winter to spring in temperate climate, all year round in tropical climate.

Fruits: Capsules containing black seeds, oval, coupled with an orange down.

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NEEDS

Average watering. Any type of soil, prefers rich and well-drained.

Exposure: Full sun sheltered from violent winds.

Hardiness: 2°C.

CULTURE

In a temperate climate, grow it in pots (substrate example: 2/3 soil, 1/3 soil + sand).

Winter in a bright room, minimum 10°C.

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MAINTENANCE

Repot every 2 years.

Enemies: scale insects

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MULTIPLICATION

- Easy sowing, 18-21°C min - Propagation substrate.

- Remove the orange part. Scarify. Soak the seeds 24h in warm water. Sow at 3-4mm, pack slightly and keep moist. Place in a sunny spot. Transplant in a cup one month after emergence.

- Emergence: 2-8 weeks

- Sampling of rejects in spring.

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USES

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ORNAMENTAL USE

Isolated subject, massive, bins, indoor plant.

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FOOD USE

None.

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OTHER USES

Cut flowers.

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SOURCES - The great Larousse of 15000 garden plants & flowers - Ed Larousse - P516 - Illustrated Flora of the phanerogams of Guadeloupe & Martinique - Jacques Fournet - Ed Gondwana, CIRAD - Q2 P2019

- Plants, environments and landscapes of the French Antilles - Claude Sastre and Anne Breuil - Ed Parthenope collection - P387

- Tropical plants in the wild and acclimatized - Jens G.Rohwer - Ed Delachaux er Niestlé - P232