Information About The Bird Of Paradise Flower

Bird of paradise flower

The common name for this type of flower is “bird of paradise flower” Or “crane flower”, it was given this name because its flowers resemble in shape the birds of paradise in its homeland in South Africa. The bird of paradise flower belongs to the “Strelitziaceae” family of plants. This type of plant was named after the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, which is the birthplace of Queen Charlotte. In the United Kingdom, the bird of paradise flower emerged as a symbol of the American city of Los Angeles. It was also placed as a symbol on the back of the fifty-cent coin in South Africa. There are two types of it that are used as houseplants. 2> They are “Strelitzia nicolai” And “Strelitzia reginae”.

Characteristics of the bird of paradise flower

One of the most widespread flowering plants in tropical regions, the Nikolai species is the largest, reaching 10 meters tall with white and blue flowers The other species are approximately 2 to 3.5 meters long, with the exception of the “caudata” Which is found in smaller sizes, with large leaves ranging in length from 30 to 200 centimeters, and in width from 10 to 80 centimetres. Its leaves resemble banana leaves, but they are smaller in size and longer. As for the reproduction of the bird of paradise flower, its pollination is done by sunbirds, as the birds stand on These flowers therefore stick pollen to their feet, and when birds move between flowers, the pollen is transferred with them.

The bird of paradise flower needs warm temperatures with a lot of sunlight to produce its distinctive flowers. It also needs rich soil, and it is preferable to keep indoor ones away from southern windows to avoid burning. As for outdoor plants, especially in desert climate areas, they should be It is placed in partial shade and avoiding strong sunlight. When the growth season of the bird of paradise flower begins, the optimal temperature for it is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius during the day, and 10 degrees Celsius at night. It must also be kept in a place where the temperature is not less than -4. Degree Celsius so as not to damage it. The bird of paradise flower needs a lot of nutrients to develop the flowers. It must also be fed with soluble plant foods once every two weeks in the spring, and once a month in the summer. It is also necessary to remove any broken or dead leaves as soon as they occur.< /span>

The most common problems with the bird of paradise flower aremites, mealybugsand spiders< a i=4>, so it is recommended to use horticultural oil spray or insecticides when exposed to one of thesepests, and wipe the leaves to remove dust, and one of the most common diseases is also fungi. , which arises from water remaining under the leaves or when the leaves remain wet, so one should not exaggerate in exposing it to water, and one should be careful about its poisonous seeds, which may cause abdominal pain if eaten by pets or children.

Types of bird of paradise flower

The “Strelitzia” family is characterized by Among the plants to which the bird of paradise flower belongs is that it is one of the large herbs, as some of them have woody stems and banana-like leaves that grow on them with flowers in an erect manner. They are also distinguished by their strong colors such as orange and blue, and sometimes decorated and colored in bright colors. As for the following types of “Strelitzia” plants: Which produces the bird of paradise flower and where it spreads:

The white bird of paradise flower, whose scientific name is “Strelitzia alba”, is widely found in the coastal areas in the extreme south-east and west of South Africa.
The giant bird of paradise flower, whose scientific name is “Strelitzia nicolai” The most common locations of this species are Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and eastern South Africa from the Great Fish River north to Richards Bay.
The crane lily, whose scientific name is “Strelitzia reginae”, is widespread in Madeira, South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal