This spectacular evergreen plant has an unusual structure and color of buds, but is not the most popular among indoor gardeners. It got its name in honor of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitzkaya.
Strelitzia reed
In its natural environment, this species can be found in the Southeastern part of the African continent. The culture calmly tolerates prolonged droughts and sudden temperature changes, and can even withstand a slight frost. Flowers of an unusual shape can only be seen on plants over 4 years old. The bud-inflorescence, painted in purple and red tones, is on the peduncle in a horizontal position, and its appearance is very similar to a long, straight beak. On its upper side, near the petiole, over time, variegated orange-colored flowers appear.
The bud is about 16 cm long and can contain from 6 to 10 bright flowers covered with abundant nectar. Up to 6-7 inflorescences appear on one bush. Flowering lasts from May to October. Cut flowers last longer than on a branch. The leaves of the reed strelitzia are completely devoid of leaf plates; it has long narrow needle-leaves covered with a waxy coating.
Large thorny leaves form a dense gray-green rosette, plant height – from 1,5 to 2 meters. Strelitzia reed is considered an endangered species, in order to save it, growers use artificial pollination and vegetative options for the appearance of seeds.
Strelitzia royal
The “bird of paradise flower”, brought from Southeast Africa, quickly gained fame in European countries and the New World. The plant is a symbol of freedom and independence in South Africa, as well as the official flower of Los Angeles. This type of exotic culture is the most popular type of strelitzia among flower growers, it is not demanding on care and is successfully grown in apartments as a houseplant.
The height of the royal strelitzia is from one to one and a half meters. She has oval-shaped leaves, which are painted in a dark green tone with a bluish tint. Their length is almost half a meter, and their width is 15-30 cm, they grow on rigid petioles from 65 to 90 cm long, on the back side along the veins there are pinkish strokes. Smooth leaves have smooth edges, they grow in 2 rows and are collected in numerous rosettes.
The culture blooms in spring and autumn, its buds are on large peduncles, and their diameter reaches more than 14 cm. A flower appears from a reddish-green bud – its outer petals have an expressive orange tone, and the inner petals have a rich blue hue. Flowers have no scent, inside they are filled with nectar that flows out. The buds bloom for a long time and even when cut can last up to 30 days.
Strelitzia August
This plant reaches a height of more than 5 meters. It consists of several straight stems, from which huge leaves extend, which grow up to 1 meter in length. The foliage has an elliptical shape and is colored in a light greenish tint. The peduncle has a lateral inflorescence and two bracts, a purple hue.
The opening of the buds takes place within 7-14 days, the length of the white flowers is about 25 cm, and the height is almost 9 cm. The flowers reach 5 cm in thickness, and their snow-white petals grow up to 18 cm in length. Flowering lasts from spring to mid-July, and in February, fruit-boxes appear. Strelitzia Augusta is endangered and is listed in the South African Plant Red List.
Strelitzia Nicholas
This species was named after the Grand Duke of the Russian Empire Nikolai Nikolaevich. Under natural conditions, the plant grows about 11 meters in height, and looks like a banana tree. Due to the large size of this species, it is classified as a woody plant. Its powerful stem resembles a palm trunk – there are traces of fallen leaves on its surface, and its thickness is about 2 meters. On large petioles there are massive leaves, reaching almost 1 meter in width and more than 1,8 meters in length. Flowering begins at 6-8 years. On the peduncle there are 4 pointed horizontal buds, painted in green, scarlet or lilac shades.
Tailed strelitzia
This large tree-like plant grows over 9 meters in height. Huge oblong leaves are arranged in two rows around a powerful stem. After a while, the lower part of the stem is exposed and scars form on the trunk, making the strelitzia look like a tree. Pointed bracts resemble boats and are impressive in size – they reach half a meter in length. The corollas that have grown together at the bottom are combined in several pieces. They have a scarlet or dark purple tone. Large flowers have white outer petals and blue inner petals.
