Strelitzia nicolai Regel & K.Koch
Giant white bird of paradise
Scientific name: Strelitzia nicolai Regel & K.Koch
Family: Strelitziaceae
Origin: South Africa
Year planted: Beginning of the garden, before 1930
Flowering: Spring – Summer
Strelitzia nicolai
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…?
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
