Strelitzia nicolai (White Crane Flower, White Bird of Paradise, Giant Crane Flower, Giant Bird of Paradise)

Botanical Information

FamilyStrelitziaceae
GenusStrelitzia
Speciesnicolai
CategoryPerennials, Tropicals
OriginNative to South Africa.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone9-11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH1c-H3
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-6.7-10
Temperature (°F)20-50
Height9 m
Spread3-4 m
GrowthSlow

Description and Growing Information

ShapeGrows upright and in clumps.
LandscapeUsed in a container, as a specimen, tropical or accent plant.
PropagationPropagated by seed or division. Germination takes 2-3 months. Division needs to be done in late spring to early summer.
CultivationCan tolerate full sun or shade but prefers rich, acidic soil; does not tolerate overly wet soils.
PestsGrasshoppers, mealybugs, aphids, snails, fig wax scale, false oleander scale, tobacco budworm, giant whitefly, red palm mite, rugose spiraling whitefly or saddleback caterpillar. If planted in overly wet soils it will experience root rot.
Notable SpecimensCentennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
HabitatFound in coastal dune vegetation and evergreen forests.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe plant is multi-stemmed, woody and smooth.
Leaf DescriptionThe evergreen, banana-like leaves are alternately arranged, oval and dark green. They grow 1-3 m long with pinnate veins.
Flower DescriptionFlowers emerge one at a time from the spathe. They consist of three sepals and three petals, two of which join to form an arrow-like nectary.
Fruit DescriptionThe capsules are triangular and contain black seeds with orange fuzz.
Colour DescriptionFlowers have white sepals and white to blue petals. Leaves are green. Seeds are black to brown in colour with a yellow aril.

Photographs