Strelitzia nicolai

white bird-of-paradise

The white bird-of-paradise is a relative of the smaller, better-known orange bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae) as well as the traveler’s tree (Ravenala madagascariensis). All these plants belong to the same family, are native to southern Africa, and share a unique flower structure.

Sunbirds (native to Madagascar) are attracted to the flowers for nectar and will often land on the pointed blue petal in the process of acquiring the nectar. When pressed, this blue petal reveals sticky white pollen that gets on the birds’ feet. The feet of the sunbirds pollinate the plants as the birds move from flower to flower.

Rope made from dried leaf stalks is used in the building of huts and fish kraals (fence-like enclosures in the water). Developing fruits from the plant are also apparently quite tasty.

These plants enjoy southern Florida. Provide them with mesic soil and regular fertilization and you'll have large plants in no time. Too much sunlight adversely affects foliage quality, while too little sunlight adversely affects flowering, so give it a spot in between.