common bird-of-paradise flower (Strelitzia reginae) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Bird of paradise is a South African perennial with orange and blue flowers shaped like a bird's head. In the United States, it is grown outdoors in warm areas or kept as a houseplant.

Appearance

Growth form: This perennial grows in clumps about 3–5 ft (1–1.5 m) tall.
Leaves: Broad gray-green leaves rise on long stalks from an underground stem.
Flowers: Orange and blue flowers open one after another from a boat-shaped green .
Fruit: Its seed pods hold black seeds with bright orange fleshy coverings.

Look-alikes

giant bird-of-paradise flowerStrelitzia nicolai

The giant species grows tall, trunklike stems and bears white and blue flowers. This species stays in lower clumps and has orange and blue flowers.

Why they get mixed upBoth have large paddle-shaped leaves and birdlike flowers.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Warm climate gardens
Bright indoor rooms
Range: It is native to South Africa. In the United States, it is grown as an ornamental, including in South Florida.

Growing it

Care: It grows outdoors in 10–12 and prefers a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
Propagation: It can be grown from seed or by dividing established clumps.

Name and classification

About the name: The usual orange-flowered has blue inner petals; another subspecies has white inner petals.
Varieties and forms: The cultivated form ‘Mandela’s Gold’ has yellow flowers.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: The flower's birdlike shape makes it popular in floral arrangements.
The genus name honors Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

9 sources