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Strelitzia nicolai

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Strelitzia nicolai

Family Name: Strelitziaceae
Common Name: White Bird-of-paradise, Wild Banana, Giant Bird of Paradise, 大鹤望兰

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial

Biogeography

Native Distribution Botswana, KwaZulu-Natal, Mozambique, Zimbabwe
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Local Conservation Status Non-native

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Fan-shaped crown, can reach between 6-8m in height, erect woody stem up to 0.5m wide. The herbaceous plant forms large clumps from the base where new shoots are produced.
Foliage Leaves simple, elliptic, up to 2m long. Leaves are banana-like, long petioles tightly packed. Single main vein with multiple perpendicular lateral veins
Flowers Axillary inflorescences protrude between petioles. The flower consists of white and blue tepals, dark blue to reddish-brown boat-shaped bract. Flowers year-round. Each flower opens sequentially, lasting for 3 days. The next flower will then emerge from the bract within 2 days.
Fruit Woody capsules. Seeds large, black with orange aril.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Bird-Attracting

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference Lots of Water
Propagation Method Division, Seed

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Green
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Margin Entire
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) White, Blue
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1854
Species ID 3147
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 14 October 2021.
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