Bird's Tongue Flower Strelitzia reginae
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Strelitzia regalis
- Phonetic Spelling
- stre-LITZ-ee-uh ree-JIN-ay-ee
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Bird of Paradise Flower is a clumping tropical plant native to South Africa. Its large gray-green leaves arise from underground rhizomes. It is best known for its large unusual inflorescence that resembles a bird's head. It blooms intermittently throughout the year.
Grow indoors in a well-lit, sunny spot in fertile loamy well-drained soil. Water plants freely and fertilize regularly in spring and summer but keep drier in winter. Bird of paradise needs moderate temperatures 55 to 65 F at night. When temperatures rise above 70F. outside, place your plant in a sunny to a semi-shaded location with good air circulation.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Bird of Paradise is usually pest and disease free. Monitor for mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Root rot can occur from overwatering or poorly drained soils. Leaf spot may cause yellow or brown spots on the leaves. The plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Mandela's Gold'
grayish-green leaves, gray and pink beak-like spathe, yellow and purple flowers
- 'Mandela's Gold'
- 'Mandela's Gold'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Mandela's Gold'
grayish-green leaves, gray and pink beak-like spathe, yellow and purple flowers
- 'Mandela's Gold'
- 'Mandela's Gold'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Strelitzia
- Species:
- reginae
- Family:
- Strelitziaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It has been used for medicinal purposes by the indigenous people of South Africa.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Cape Provinces to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Distribution:
- Introduced: Bangladesh and Mexico
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Orange
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a leathery capsule containing numerous small seeds, each with an orange aril.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers emerge one at a time from the spathe and consist of 3 brilliant orange sepals and 3 bright blue petals. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like nectary. When the birds sit to have a drink of nectar, the petals open to cover their feet with pollen.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Clumps of 3.5-4 feet long gray-green leaves that look like banana leaves.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
