"Strelitzia reginae"
Orange Bird of Paradise

Strelitzia reginae

‘The plant grows to 2 m (6½ ft) tall, with large, strong leaves 10-28 in. long and 4-12 in. broad, produced on petioles up to 1 m (about 40 in) long. The leaves are evergreen and arranged in two ranks, making a fan-shaped crown. The flowers stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks. The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges is termed the spathe. This is placed perpendicular to the stem, which gives it the appearance of a bird's head and beak; it makes a durable perch for holding the sunbirds which pollinate the flowers. The flowers, which emerge one at a time from the spathe, consist of three brilliant orange sepals and three purplish-blue petals. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like nectary. When the sunbirds sit to drink the nectar, the petals open to cover their feet in pollen.  

Hardiness: USDA Zone 9
Plant Type: Arboricola Tri (Schefflera)
Full Height: 3'
Full Width: 4'
Sun Requirements: Full
Water Requirements: Regular