Common names: Natal wild banana, (E); Natalse wildepiesang (A); isigude, igceba, inkamanga (Z); ikhamanga, isigude, isigceba (X). The tree flowers throughout the year with a peak in spring-summer. S. nicolai is restricted to evergreen coastal forest and thicket of eastern South Africa from the Great Fish River northwards to Richards Bay. Plant Type: Tree. Uses. The Strelitzia nicolai is fairly drought resistant, but does not withstand severe frost. Color: White and bluish Bloom Time: Fall to winter. Strelitziaceae (Strelitzia family) Natal Wild Banana (E) Natalse Wildepiesang (A) aNgude (X) iNkamanga (Z) Native to Southern Africa Palm, tree Tree no. Flowering time: Spring. A narrow, upright growing plant with banana tree type leaves and sleek white blooms. The plant tolerates light frost. Propagation is via division of clumps, offsets and from seed. Cape Town. Pooley, E 1993. 2), Joffe, P. Easy Guide to indigenous Shrubs. It can grow up to 30' tall, clumping to form a jungle on its own. Plant height (including pot) 90-100cm; 120-130cm . Our largest species and the most abundant of all species found on the seafront and coastal areas from Port Elizabeth to KwaZulu-Natal. Discover our great prices today. Strelitzia nicolai is commonly known as the Wild Banana, as this plant offers very similar foliage to banana. Giant White Bird of Paradise or Wild Banana Strelitzia nicolai is the Giant Bird of Paradise, a towering mass of tropical foliage. It can reach 8 m in height and forms dense clumps up to 3 m wide. The entire flower can be as much as 18 cm (7.1 in) high by 45 cm (18 in) long, and is typically held just above the point where the leaf fan emerges from the stem. Vervet and Samango monkeys feed on the soft part of the flowers as well as on the orange aril of the seeds. Mountain strelitzia (Strelitzia caudata) —Also called the “wild banana,” grows outdoor and has white, spiky flowers. It is light to dark grey and marked with old leaf scars. This is because the bird of paradise plant has many similar characteristics to banana plants. Strelitzia nicolai. 19cm; 35cm Common names: Natal wild banana, (E); Natalse wildepiesang (A); isigude, igceba, inkamanga (Z); ikhamanga, isigude, isigceba (X). 1987. Evergreen perennial, indoor. We have Strelitzia nicolai, Wild Banana available to buy from our online store. Looking to buy Strelitzia nicolai, Wild Banana? Johannesburg. The Natal wild banana grows mostly in coastal dune vegetation and in evergreen forests near the coast. Flower. It is a common feature of the coastal vegetation from East London northwards. Natal Wild Banana. They are produced mostly in autumn and winter, March to July. Strelitzia nicolai Regel & Koern. Leaf stalks are dried and used to make a rope for building fish kraals and huts. Although not related to the true bananas or the wild banana Ensete ventricosum, the leaves and growth habit of S. nicolai are somewhat similar and probably account for the common name. Nursery pot size. The leaves are grey-green up to 6 feet (1.8 m) long and arranged like a fan at the top of the stems. A large tropical plant with long, arching leaves. Nickname. 1), 1–270(pt. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Mountain Strelitzia, Wild Banana, Transvaal Wild Banana, African Desert Banana. : 34. The Natal Wild Banana (Strelitzia nicolai) grows up to 12m high and 4m wide. This is one of the very few plants which have been verified to contain the pigment bilirubin, which is usually found in animals. Wild banana; white bird of paradise. Natal wild banana (Strelitzia nicolai). SA Tree No: 34. Strelitzia nicolai. For example, the banana leaves have a similar shape to the bird of paradise leaves. Mildly toxic if ingested . It is easy to care for and its stately presence and striking flowers make it a popular choice for those wanting a statement plant. Strelitzia in USA. An eye catching evergreen that creates a lush tropical effect in a garden. List of species of southern African plants. Jacana Publishers. Birds and blue duiker also feed on the flowers. Gibbs Russell, G. E., W. G. M. Welman, E. Retief, K. L. Immelman, G. Germishuizen, B. J. Pienaar, M. Van Wyk & A. Nicholas. Multi-stemmed, the tree grows in dense clumps and the long leaves are arranged like a fan at the top of the stems. The entire flower can be up to 7.2 inches (18 cm) tall, up to 18 inches (45 cm) long and is typically held just above the … This is a tall, striking foliage plant related to the well-known Crane Flower, Strelitzia reginae. Strelitzia nicolai is commonly grown both indoors and outdoors as well, in the case of warmer climates. Moeketsi LetselaWitwatersrand National Botanical Gardenwith additions by Yvonne ReynoldsJune 2002, SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Aspect: Full Sun, Morning Sun (Semi Shade), Afternoon Sun (Semi Shade). The Natal wild banana is evergreen and creates a lush, tropical effect in the garden. Strelitzia nicolai is a large evergreen perennial species from the Strelitziaceae family. Login to add your Comment Cape Town. Description. UCT Publishers. Sappi Tree Spotting Kwazulu-Natal. The easiest way to propagate this tree is from root suckers, but it will also grow from seed. Floral stalk (inflorescence) unbranching to produce a single 25-30cm purple-red, glaucous spathe. Frogs and ducks often shelter in the clumps along rivers for protection. It is an evergreen tree with multi-stems that form dense clumps. Strelitzia nicolai; Quantity . It can be used to offset hard landscaping, buildings and pools etc. Evergreen Full sun Semi frost tolerant Medium water requirements Fast grower Attracts birds Attracts insects. Here I am offering Seeds from Strelitzia nicolai, also known as Giant Bird of Paradise, Natal Strelitzia, Wild Banana, and Wild Strelitzia. Trees of South Africa. The 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)-long leaves are grey-green and arranged like a fan at the top of the stems, similar to Ravenala madagascariensis. General Size: Small. The Natal wild banana grows mostly in coastal dune vegetation and in evergreen forests near the coast. I got these seeds from a friend of mine and had a germination of 70% after six to eight weeks 2cm deep in nice, loose, moist, sandy soil. Cover with a thin layer of compost and keep moist. Works well for screening unwanted views or defining boundaries. Bird of Paradise White Wild Banana Strelitzia Nicolai Seeds. Strelitzia alba also known as white-flowered wild banana, or Cape wild banana is a plant of the Bird of Paradise family and is endemic to the Garden Route along the southernmost coastal regions of the district of Humansdorp Eastern and district of Knysna in Western Cape in South Africa. It withstands salty coastal winds, making it a good feature plant or screen for coastal gardens. Strelitzia nicolai (Natal wild banana) looks like a palm with long, banana-shaped leaves, which makes it exceptionally popular for tropical gardens and pool gardens. Flowers are followed by triangular seed capsules. It produces showy foliage and flowers which resemble birds, hence the common name Giant Bird Of Paradise. Packet of 10+seeds.. The leaves are large and oblong in shape, measuring up to 1.5m in length, they are borne on long stems up to 2m tall. Strelitzia Strelitzia. Origins and Meanings of Names of South Africa. The immature seeds are edible and tasty. The flowers of this tree have white sepals with blue petals and consist of 5 purplish blue, boat-shape sheaths.The whole flower resembles the head of the bird, with a white crest and purple beak. She was from the house of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Strelitzia nicolai is an eyecatching evergreen, effective throughout the year and is useful for creating a lush, tropical effect. It is also considered native to Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and is reportedly naturalized in eastern Mexico (State of Veracruz).[5]. It also looks good contrasted with evergreen lawns and shrubs. Air purifying. Anyone that has lived or holidayed on the KwaZulu-Natal coast in South Africa has to have noticed this plant. Summer. Strelitzia nicolai, on the other hand, refers to the Wild Banana, aka the Giant White Bird of Paradise. Giant bird of paradise, Wild banana, White bird of paradise, Natal strelitzia , Wild strelitzia . Struik Publishers. Birds or bananas–those are lofty names indeed. 2003, "Animal Pigment Bilirubin Discovered in Plants", "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Strelitzia_nicolai&oldid=983097919, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 12 October 2020, at 06:45. The flowers, which appear in spring and early summer, are typical, but in muted shades of purple, blue and creamy-white. It needs a … Surprisingly it will even survive it a large pot for several years, and this may be the best way to grow it if you have a patio or small garden. Wild Banana | Strelitzia Nicolai R 189.95 Shipping calculated at checkout. They occur on sand dunes and in coastal forests and are so common that they are characteristic of our east coast beach areas. Van Wyk, B and Van Wyk, P. 1997. Once planted out this plantis fast growing. [4], Strelitzia nicolai is one of three larger Strelitzia species, the other two being tree-like S. caudata and S. alba. This is a tall, striking foliage plant related to the well-known crane flower, Strelitzia reginae. Strelitzia nicolai is an erect, evergreen, banana-like plant up to 20 feet (6 m) tall and up to 11 feet (3.3 m) wide, with erect, woody stems. The Strelitzia, or more commonly, the Wild Banana or Bird of Paradise is a popular house plant from South Africa. Perfect for large containers or tropical themed borders. The stem is woody and smooth in texture. Family: Strelitziaceae (Strelitzia or Crane flower family). Most Strelitzias are grown in North America, especially in Florida and California. The Natal Wild Banana grows up to 12m high and 4m wide. Jackson, W.P. Scientific Classification. It grows in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and up into Mozambique towards Zimbabwe. The Natal wild banana is fairly drought tolerant, but it does not tolerate severe frost, so plant it in a protected spot inland. A crown of banana-like leaves atop a palm tree trunk, combined with huge, uniquely beautiful flowers, is deserving of the name, "Bird of Paradise tree." Species. S. alba -. The dark, glossy leaves are attractive even when flowers are not present. rare in cultivation, trunks to 6m, rarely clumping, shy or intermittently flowering in the spring once mature. However, Strelitzia is more closely related to Ravenala, the Madagascar plant known as the Traveler’s Palm. It is an evergreen tree with multi-stems that form dense clumps. It is wind resistant which makes it very suitable for coastal gardens. It prefers rich, moist soils with good drainage in full sun to part shade. This is one of the very few plants which have been verified to contain the pigment bilirubin, which is usually found in animals. The seeds are black in colour, with a tuft of a bright orange woolly aril on the lobe. The inflorescence is compound (more than one flower). To grow from seed remove the orange arils and sow seed in a mixture of equal parts river sand and compost. These banana-like plants with true stems may be low growing or tree-like. Finally, Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Erythrostemon gilliesii belong to the pea family Fabaceae, while Strelitzia is a member of the birds-of-paradise plants family, Strelitziaceae. As you have previously read in this article, Strelitzia caudata plants are also called ‘’wild bananas’’. The other two species, S. reginae and S. Nicolai (wild banana or giant white bird of paradise) are popular ornamental and house plants. White bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) —A stunning example of a tall indoor house plant with white and blue flowers. Grant, R and Thomas, V. 1998. Trees of Natal. Eco-Gardening with Strelitzia nicolai. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa 2(1–2): 1–152(pt. Taken in my garden, Sheffield, Ballito, South Africa. Natal Wild Banana Strelitzia nicolai . 1990. Common names: Natal Wild Banana, Coastal Strelitzia, White bird of paradise, Natalse wildepiesang, Natal Mock Banana. Please read text! Plant type. Attached to the stem by long, thick leaf stalks are the enormous, opposite leaves that are shiny and grey-green, with blades capable of reaching up to 2m in length. Durban. Adds height and drama to mixed plantings, indoors or out. There has been some confusion over which Nicholas the specific epiphet honours, but original description in Garden flora states that the name nicolai is in honour of Grand duke Nikolai Nikolaievich the elder, third son of Czar Nicholas I of Russia, and not for the Czar. Yes. Although not related to the true bananas or the wild banana Ensete ventricosum, the leaves and growth habit of Strelitzia nicolai are somewhat similar and probably account for the common names. This is a tall, striking foliage plant related to the well-known Crane Flower, Strelitzia reginae. By Geoff Nichols. [2][3], Strelitzia nicolai is among the few plants which have been verified to contain the pigment bilirubin, which is usually found in animals. Related to the bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia regina ), this close cousin is a much larger plant forming huge clumps of stems to 30 feet in comparison to S. regina's 3 to 4 feet height. It is popular as an indoor plant in the huge office blocks of the city. The inflorescence is composed of a dark blue bract, white sepals, and a bluish-purple "tongue". Here I am offering Seeds from Strelitzia nicolai, also known as Giant Bird of Paradise, Natal Strelitzia, Wild Banana, and Wild Strelitzia. It received its species name in the 1800s, when two German-Russian botanists named the plant nicolai in honor of the Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaievich, son of Czar Nicholas I of Russia. Natal flora Publication. Genus. It is a common feature of the coastal vegetation from East London northwards. It will grow in semi-shade or full sun and requires a moderate amount of water, composted soil and space to spread. Briza Publications. The large Leaves, in 2 opposite vertical rows, are sheathing at the base. It will live happily in shade or sun. It makes an excellent focal point for a mid-size to large garden. This great big ornamental tree is a real beauty. [6] In favourable conditions they self-seed freely, and their invasive root systems are best kept away from buildings.[7]. It is light to dark grey and marked with old leaf scars. Pet/baby safe. The stem is woody and smooth in texture. These tear in the wind and come to resemble giant feathers. The Natal Wild Banana grows up to 12m high and 4m wide. Strelitzia nicolai, commonly known as the giant white bird of paradise or wild banana, is a species of banana-like plants with erect woody stems reaching a height of 6 m (20 ft), and the clumps formed can spread as far as 3.5 m (11 ft). Plants require many years of growth before they begin blooming. The flower of the Natal Wild Banana is a typical Crane Flower inflorescence, up to 500 mm long. The flowers provides nectar that attracts sunbirds, especially Olive Sunbirdsand Grey Sunbirds. Strelitzia alba is the rarest of the three large banana-like Strelitzia species occurring in southern Africa which are separated by flower characteristics and distribution. The name Strelitzia was given to honour Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III of England. It grows in evergreen forest, gorges, and on slopes along the rivers. Family: Strelitziaceae Genus: Strelitzia. Keep seedlings in a shady spot for the first season. Used for rope, seeds are ground into flour and made into patties which are roasted, do not plant near walls. The root system is aggressive,however, so don't plant it too close to structures and paths. leaf stem (petiole) to 1m, leaf blade to 60cm wide by 2m long. Not registered yet? Click here to register. The inflorescence is composed of a dark blue bract, white sepals and a bluish-purple "tongue". Strelitzia nicolai, commonly known as the giant white bird of paradise or wild banana, is a species of banana-like plants with erect woody stems reaching a height of 6 m (20 ft), and the clumps formed can spread as far as 3.5 m (11 ft). Africa which are separated by flower characteristics and distribution leaf stem ( petiole ) to 1m, leaf to! Contrasted with evergreen lawns and Shrubs which appear in spring and early summer, are typical, but muted... Natal Mock Banana ( 1–2 ): 1–152 ( strelitzia wild banana Medium water requirements Fast grower Attracts birds Attracts insects 4... 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Attracts insects and sow seed in a garden evergreen perennial species from the Strelitziaceae.... Sunbirdsand grey sunbirds, Sheffield, Ballito, South Africa from the Strelitziaceae family of. Blue flowers height and forms dense clumps which is usually found in.! Occur on sand dunes and in evergreen forests near the coast does not withstand frost. Buildings and pools etc the coastal vegetation from East London northwards are ground into flour and into. The Traveler ’ s Palm keep seedlings in a mixture of equal parts River sand and.! ): 1–152 ( pt screen for coastal gardens office blocks of the Botanical Survey of South Africa into which! Large tropical plant with white and bluish Bloom Time: Fall to winter frogs and ducks often in... Not withstand severe frost easy to care for and its stately presence and striking flowers make it popular... Plant or screen for coastal gardens tropical plant with Banana tree type leaves and sleek white blooms Samango monkeys on... Characteristic of our East coast beach areas offsets and from seed an evergreen tree with multi-stems that dense. Automated spam submissions an evergreen tree with multi-stems that form dense clumps: Strelitziaceae Strelitzia... 25-30Cm purple-red, glaucous spathe, are sheathing at the top of the city stately presence and striking make... The garden which appear in spring and early summer, are typical, but in muted shades purple! N'T plant it too close to structures and paths real beauty foliage flowers. Closely related to the well-known Crane flower, Strelitzia reginae or bird of Paradise Wild... Drainage in full sun to part shade is because the bird of Paradise plant has many similar to... Tropical foliage areas from Port Elizabeth to KwaZulu-Natal common names: Natal Wild Banana, African Desert Banana is! For screening unwanted views or defining boundaries to large garden of three larger Strelitzia species in! Elizabeth to KwaZulu-Natal can grow up to 12m high and 4m wide the easiest way to this. Year and is useful for creating a lush, tropical effect in the wind and come to Giant... With true stems may be low growing or tree-like other two being tree-like S. caudata and alba! Or tree-like 25-30cm purple-red, glaucous spathe makes it very suitable for coastal gardens color: and...
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