43 – Strelitzia nicolai

Scientific name

Strelitzia nicolai Regel & K.Koch

Common name

Giant white bird of paradise

Family

Strelitziaceae

Origin

South Africa

Year planted

Beginning of the garden, before 1930

Flowering

Spring – Summer

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Giant white bird of paradise

Description

It is a large-leaved plant, which can grow to 6 metres. The leaves can reach 2 metres in length, and grow in a fan shape.

The flowers grow in clusters (inflorescence). They are very showy with large white and blue petals. They look like a winged bird, hence the name.

When the flowers are fertilised, they create a capsule where the seeds ripen.

Marimurtra’s specimens

There is a huge specimen of almost 10 metres at the entrance of the Mediterranean garden.  You can see the fan-shaped leaves and the bird-shaped flowers.

Did you know that…?

This species of Strelitzia contains the pigment bilirubium. It is a common pigment in the animal world but unusual in the plant world.

Threat level (UICN)

Main uses

Raunkiaer Life Forms