Plant Profile: Strelitzia reginae
Strelitzia reginae, or the Bird of Paradise as it is popularly known, is a popular exotic flower native to the southern area of Africa. This Beauty is most notified for its appearance resembling that of a bird(go figure!) and is most commonly thought to be named after the also aptly named actual bird version of the Bird of Paradise!
The Bird of Paradise a larger flower, with stems that can push 90cm(3
feet) long and beautiful, bright coloured flowers that are also over a
foot long and closely resembling the beak of a bird. These flowers are
wildly considered by the locals as symbols of joyfulness and
magnificence due to the way they stand so far out compared to other
flowers, even those in the same arrangement!
Care and Handling:
- Remove any leaves that would be fully immersed in water
- Cut the bottom 1-2cm(1/2 inch) off of each stem at a slight angle
- It is best to use warmer water, and make sure to change it often as this plant is tardy and doesn't appreciate a dirty home!
- Careful about placement! The Bird of Paradise is not a fan of temperature extremes, whether they be hot or cold
