

To some they are a symbol of freedom and joy. The bird of paradise flower has come to symbolize many things.

The bright hues and exotic features of these flowers have made their way into the work of famous and independent painters such as Pam Houle, Marshall White and Derek McCrea. For instance, the bird of paradise flower has become the focal point of many artists. But this small piece of history is only a tiny part of the flower’s vibrant existence. All of these combined features are said to give the appearance of the beak and plumage of a colorful bird in flight.Ĭharlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who was an avid botanist, led the way to discovering the bird of paradise flower, and thus, the genus was named in her honor. The bird of paradise flower grows from a thick spathe, and is made up of three bright orange and three deep blue petals – two of which are fused together to create a spade-like appearance. These strong, hardy plants can grow anywhere from 4 to 6 and ½ feet in height and bear large, thick leaves that are similar in appearance to its musaceae family sister, the banana leaf. Here are five different species from two disparate plant genera, each commonly known as "bird of paradise.The genus strelitzia – more commonly known as the bird of paradise, or crane flower – contains five perennial species, and is a native of South Africa.

These plants, indigenous to warm, humid areas of South Africa, can be grown as outdoor perennials in zones 9–11 or as houseplants elsewhere.Īn entirely different genus, Caesalpinia, includes a number of broad-leaved evergreen trees and shrubs that also carry the common name "bird of paradise." The shape of these plants and the appearance of their flowers is starkly different than Strelitzia species.

If you know the bird of paradise mainly as a florist's flower, you're probably thinking of the Strelitzia genus. One type of bird of paradise plant is a low-growing jungle plant with unique exotic flowers, a relative of the banana plant, while the other type is a member of the pea family, a thorny shrub or tree that loves desert environments. Very different species of plants can sometimes share the same common name, and nowhere is this more true than with the flowering plants known as "bird of paradise." Species from two entirely different plant genera share this common name, and that's just about the only thing similar about them. The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
