Tropical Bird of Paradise

Tropical Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise
Strelitzea regubae
Enchanting Gardens of Kula
Maui Hawai’i

The Bird of Paradise thrives here in the Hawaiian Islands and has been introduced. It is a native of South Africa. Bird of Paradise (Stelitzia reginae), also known as Crane flowers, is one of the most beautiful of all exotic flowers. This native of South Africa derives its name from the unusual flowers, which resemble brightly coloured birds in flight.

The leaves of a bird of paradise plant are bluish-green with a red midrib. This thick, evergreen foliage resembles small banana leaves, attached to a long stalk. In contrast to the banana, however, bird of paradise plants are trunkless.

Emerging from the green and pink boat-shaped bracts in spring is the long-stemmed bird of paradise flower. The bird of paradise flower has petals of brilliant orange set off by its intense blue arrow-shaped tongue. The blooming will continue in a succession over some time. Here on Maui they bloom virtually year round.

The Bird of Paradise is a beautiful plant as its height usually reaches anywhere from 4- to 5-feet tall with a 2- or 3-foot spread. The flowers unfold from a specialized leaf like structure which grows horizontally like a beak and contains pollen. The petals fold back and stick upward like the crown feathers on a birds head. The Bird of Paradise Plant grows best in damp, fertile soil with full to partial sun.

Bird of Paradise are ornamental plants of the family Strelitziaceae. There are five species of the genus Strelitzia, all native to southern Africa. They grow from rhizomes (underground stems) to a height of 1 to 1.5 metres (about 3 to 5 feet) and have stiff, erect, leathery, concave, and oblong leaves. The leaves are bluish green and may have a red midrib.

Copyright © Sharon Mau 2009
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Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Shooting Date/Time 21 July 2009 13:29:21
Tv 1/160
Av 8.0
Evaluative Metering
ISO 100
Lens EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

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