Not all Strelitzia are the same. This plant is available in a wide variety of designs, heights and flower colors. Below you will find an overview of the 5 species, all of which belong to the Strelitzia family and originally come from South Africa.
What types of Strelitzia are there?
There are five different types of Strelitzia: 1. Royal Strelitzia (Strelitzia reginae), 2. Rush Strelitzia (Strelitzia juncea), 3. Mountain Strelitzia (Strelitzia caudata), 4. White Strelitzia (Strelitzia alba) and 5. Tree Strelitzia (Strelitzia nicolai). They have different heights and flower colors, but all are slightly poisonous and not hardy.
The King Strelitzia – Strelitzia reginae
This species is probably the best known and is often used as a houseplant in pots in this country. It is also known as the bird of paradise flower and the parrot flower, thanks to its colorful flowers.
Here are their characteristics:
- Flowering period: December to May
- 10 cm long flowers
- Flowers in blue-orange (also varieties with yellow-blue flowers)
- considered the most beautiful species of all Strelitzias
- Growth height: up to 2 m
- up to 50 cm long, narrow, long-stemmed leaves
The rush Strelitzia – Strelitzia juncea
This type of Strelitzia reaches a height of between 1 and 2 m and stands out among the other species especially with its different foliage. The leaves are rush-like (without noticeable blades). They reach a length of 2 m. The flowers appear between May and October and are very similar to those of the royal strelitzia.
The mountain strelitzia – Strelitzia caudata
Less known is the tree-like mountain strelitzia. It grows up to 6 m high, is also evergreen and has leaves up to 2 m long. Its flowers stand out with the blue color of the bracts.
The White Strelitzia – Strelitzia alba
This Strelitzia also grows like a tree and reaches a height of up to 10 m. It blooms from May to June and lives up to its name with its white sepals and light petals.
The tree Strelitzia – Strelitzia nicolai
The tree Strelitzia (also known as Natal Strelitzia) has the following characteristics
- Growth height of up to 12 m
- tree-like growth
- larger leaves than all other species
- 40 cm long bracts in purple-blue
- white sepals and blue stamens
Characteristics that all Strelitzias have in common
- not hardy
- large, persistent and herbaceous
- form clumps with their rhizomes
- alternate, large and entire leaves
- upright inflorescences
- boat-shaped bract
- hermaphrodite, threefold flowers
- woody capsule fruits
- Seeds with orange arils
Tip
Attention: All Strelitzia species are slightly poisonous in all parts!
