BIRD OF PARADISE: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, PROPERTIES, REPRODUCTION, CARE - BIOLOGY - 2025

Strelitzia reginae is a species of ornamental flowering perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Strelitziaceae family. Commonly known as the bird of paradise, crane flower, bird flower or bird flower, it is a species native to South Africa.

It is a rhizomatous plant with a acaule stem and low bearing, the simple leaves are alternate, oval, petiolate, sheathed and grayish-green in color. The terminal spathe-shaped flowers have striking orange or deep yellow sepals and bright dark blue petals.

Strelitzia reginae. Source: pixabay.com

It adapts to different edaphoclimatic environments as long as the environmental conditions correspond to warm tropical or subtropical climates. Its productive cycle is characterized by a period of rest during the summer, flowering from spring to autumn and a productive life of 4-6 years.

The commercial quality of its flowers is famous as a cut flower for its particular shape similar to an exotic bird. Similarly, it is used as an ornamental plant in gardening, either individually or in groups.

General characteristics

Leaves of Strelitzia reginae. Source: Ji-Elle

Appearance

It is a plant with herbaceous habits formed by an acaule stem that emerges vertically from a robust and underground rhizome. The stem is formed by the sheathing bases of the petioles that grow alternately until reaching a height of 100-150 cm in height.

Leaves

The oval or oblong leaves, pinnatinervias, leathery and lustrous of green-gray color are 50-60 cm long and 25-30 cm wide. They are arranged alternately and distally on sheath petioles 30-40 cm long that arise from the base of the pseudostem.

flowers

The flowers are arranged in terminal inflorescences protected by large bracts that, together with the floral structures, resemble the beak or plumage of an exotic bird. Hermaphroditic and asymmetric in shape, they are formed by three yellow or orange sepals and three blue petals covered by lateral bracts on long peduncles.

Fruit

The fruit is a capsule in the form of dehiscent valves with a leathery consistency. The fatty seeds have a small orange aril. Flowering occurs from fall to late spring, in greenhouses it blooms all year round, pollination is ornithophilia.

Chemical composition

Phytochemical analysis has made it possible to determine the presence of the flavonoid cyanidin and proanthocyanidins known as "condensed tannins" with antioxidant effects. As well as the flavonols kaempferol and quercetin with antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cardiotonic properties.

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Liliopsida

- Subclass: Zingiberidae

- Order: Zingiberales

- Family: Strelitziaceae

- Genus: Strelitzia

- Species: Strelitzia reginae Banks: Heliconia bihai JS Mill.

Etymology

- Strelitzia: the name of the genus was given by Sir Joseph Banks, who described it in 1788 in honor of the wife of the English King George III, Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

- reginae: the specific adjective derives from the Latin term «reginae» which means «of the queen».

Synonymy

- Heliconia strelitzia JF Gmel.

- Strelitzia angustifolia WT Aiton

- Strelitzia farinosa WT Aiton

- S. gigantea J. Kern

- S. glauca Rich.

- Strelitzia humilis Link

- Strelitzia ovata WT Aiton

- S. parvifolia WT Aiton

- S. regalis Salisb.

- Strelitzi arutilans C. Morren.

Strelitzia reginae - Mandela's gold. Source: Axxter99

Varieties

- Strelitzia reginae var. farinosa (WT Aiton) Baker

- Strelitzia reginae var. glauca (Rich.) Baker

- S. reginae var. humilis (Link) Baker

- Strelitzia reginae var. ovata (WT Aiton) Baker

- Strelitziare ginae var. rutilans (C. Morren) K. Schum.

Habitat and distribution

The Strelitzia reginae species is native to the south of the African continent and its ornamental cultivation was introduced in Europe at the end of the 18th century. It is currently grown commercially in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, between 1,200 and 2,000 meters above sea level.

Its geographical location is located at 30º north and south latitude, in full solar radiation and luminosity of 4-6 hours of light a day. It adapts to climates with an average temperature between 15-30 ºC, rainfall of 1,000-1,500 mm well distributed throughout the year and relative humidity of 60-90%.

It is a plant that prefers warm or subtropical environments with mild temperatures and few thermal fluctuations. It develops in Mediterranean environments as long as the temperatures during winter do not drop below 10-12 ºC. It is undemanding to the type of terrain and tolerates strong winds.

Detail of the flowers of Strelitzia reginae. Source: Domenico Salvagnin from Legnaro, Italy

Properties

The bird of paradise produces a very striking flower, with bright colors and an exotic appearance that is used as a cut flower. In fact, its attractive ornamental flowers are used in floristry to make flower arrangements or decorate environments.

Likewise, it is grown as an ornamental plant to border walkways and set the scene for gardens, in flowerbeds or on large pots on terraces and balconies. Commercially, varieties of different sizes and colors are cultivated, in some regions of Africa and America it is obtained wild.

On the other hand, it contains different bioactive components such as flavonoids and flavanols with therapeutic and medicinal effect. These secondary metabolites are widely used in traditional medicine for their antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and regulating action on cholesterol and blood sugar.

Strelitzia reginae seed. Source: Fotograf / Zeichner: Sebastian Stabinger

Reproduction

The propagation of the bird of paradise can be done by plant division or shoot separation and by means of seeds.

Plant Division

The division of plants or separation of shoots is carried out using a sharp and previously disinfected knife, trying to keep part of the rhizome, leaves and shoots. It is convenient to apply powdered phytohormones on the cutting to promote rooting.

The divided material is placed in pots with a fertile substrate, avoiding watering the first days so that the cut dries and heals. After a few days, the application of frequent watering begins, in this way the new roots sprout after 30-45 days.

Seeds

Fresh seeds require a pre-germination treatment that consists of hydrating the plant material for 1-2 days and then placing in warm water for half an hour. The outer layer of each seed should then be scraped with a sharp instrument in order to remove the hard and leathery bark.

The seeds are planted in a moist substrate with a mixture of sand and peat to a depth of 2-3 cm. The seedbeds are placed in a warm, shady and protected environment to prevent moisture loss.

Germination is a slow process that takes more than 30-60 days. When the seedlings reach about 10 cm in height they are ready for transplantation in pots or open ground. Generally, it takes 4-6 years for a seedling plant to flower.

Strelitzia reginae culture. Source: Cliff from Arlington, Virginia, USA

Care

Location

Commercial plantations or ornamental crops are established under full sun exposure in environments where the temperature does not drop below 10 ºC. In pots it can be placed directly under the sun, but in very hot times it is convenient to place in a shady and ventilated place.

Floor

It grows on fertile, deep and well-drained soils, preferably low in salts and with a pH around 7.5. In terracotta pots, it requires as a substrate a mixture of equal parts black soil, peat, sand and composted plant material.

Irrigation

It is a crop that needs frequent hydration during the establishment phase, however, adult plants are tolerant to drought. In the flowering season you can apply 2-3 waterings a month and water only when the ground is dry.

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During the cool months of spring and autumn, it is advisable to apply liquid fertilizers together with watering to promote the flowering process. Composted fertilizers are applied at the beginning of the rains and foliar fertilizers with microelements and low nitrogen content during irrigation every 20-30 days.

Pruning

Usually, the bird of paradise does not require pruning, only the removal of the basal leaves that are drying out. It is advisable to perform thinning every 4-5 years, which consists of eliminating rooted shoots and regrown leaves that affect the natural appearance of the crop.

Rusticity

This species withstands strong winds well, so its cultivation is an option in coastal areas. It develops in full sun exposure with an average temperature of 18-21 ºC, for its full flowering the temperature should not drop below 10 ºC.

Marketing as a bird of paradise cut flower. Source: DocTirivashe

Diseases and pests

- Diseases

Alternaria sp.

Phytopathogenic fungus that causes a foliage disease that manifests itself in yellowish spots with necrotic edges. Its highest incidence occurs in times of rainfall with high relative humidity and little aeration.

Ascochyta passiflorae

Under conditions of high humidity and heavy rainfall, this fungus produces lesions on stems and leaves. On the leaves, circular lesions of brown color with concentric rings are formed, on the stem the lesions are elongated and brown with a grayish center.

Fusarium moniliforme

Soil pathogen that causes rotting of the rhizome and roots of the plant, mainly in flooded, compact soils and acid pH. Symptoms begin with leaf wilting, stem rot, and finally general plant weakening and death.

Gloeosporium sp.

The highest incidence of this pathogen develops in the flowers, the petals and sepals show small brown spots that affect their commercial quality. In general, they appear in crops with excessive application of irrigation in warm seasons.

- Pests

Tetranychus urticae

Small arachnid of the mite family that sucks the sap from the tender tissues on the underside of the leaves causing their discoloration. Although it is rare in this crop, its greatest virulence occurs in the hot season.

Planococcus sp. and Dactylopius sp

Mealybugs, both cottony and leathery, feed on the sap they suck from petioles and leaves. Its attack results in the interruption of growth and yellowing of the affected tissues.

Melolontha hippocastani

The voracious larvae of these beetles develop under the surface of the soil, causing rickets and wilting of the leaves. It is a large white worm with a dark ring around the abdomen that feeds on the rhizome.

References

1. Bird of Paradise (2019) Roses In Box. Recovered in: rosasinbox.com
2. Odriozola Azurmendi, JM, & Albertos García, J. (1972). Reproduction and marketing of strelitzia. Disclosure Sheets. Agrarian Extension Agents. (Brochure No. 4-72 H).
3. Pinedo Vásquez, EA (2010). Vegetative propagation of (Parrot Beak) Heliconia rostrata Ruiz & Pavón (Bird of Paradise) Strelitzia reginae Ait and (Emperor's Staff) Etlingera elatior (Jack) RM Sam in nursery conditions. (Thesis) National Agrarian University of La Selva. Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources. Peru.
4. Ramírez-Guerrero, L., García-Villanueva, E., Navarrete-Valencia, AL, García-Osorio, C., & Arévalo-Galarza, L. (2017). BIRD OF PARADISE (Strelitzia reginae Ait.) FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS FOR ITS COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION. Agroproductivity: Vol. 10, No. 3, March. pp: 43-49.
5. Strelitzia reginae. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
6. Strelitziaceae (2000) Plant Diversity Consultation Guide. FACENA (UNNE). Monocots - Zingiberales: Strelitziaceae.