Botanical Name: Strelitzia nicolai
Common Name: Giant bird of paradise
Type of Plant: monocot: tree
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape a large, clumping, tree-like plant (similar to banana), with several or many erect stalks; the leaves sheath the stem, arising in alternate fashion; the older stems are distinctly compressed along two sides
Height 15-30'
Spread 1/2 to equal
Growth Rate moderate
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors partial or full sun; will tolerate full shade inland
Soil a moist acidic loam preferred; tolerates somewhat alkaline
Hardiness some frost (zones 12013, 18-24); thrive in warm, humid areas
 
Morphology:
Leaves large, 6-10' long, arching from stem; the blade is in-folded oblong; the petiole is thick, succulent, round in cross-section
Flowers white, with distinctive, long-pointed, bird shape, 4-8" long, arising from sheaths in the leaf axils along the trunk
Fruit a capsule: 1" long
 
Propagation:
seed, or divisions of the clump
 
Usage:
a large background mass or big accent clump for its large foliage and distinct tropical effect; flowers are not as showy as those produced by Strelitzia reginae
 
Landscape Care:
Watering regular is preferred; can tolerate heavy irrigation; plant survives drought but looks shabby in dry habitats
Fertilizing balanced, as needed; check for chlorosis
Pruning remove older, lower leaves as they die; thin out clump
Pests/Diseases relatively free
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: Tropical Africa
Family: Musaceae

Notes:
 
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